Max Verstappen’s List of Changes He Would Make to F1
Max Verstappen has firmly established himself as one of Formula 1’s most dominant figures. His driving skills are top-notch, and his candid opinions about the sport are also up there. As one of the sport’s biggest stars, his ideas on how to improve F1 have made waves, and we’ve compiled the key changes he would implement to make the sport more competitive and efficient.
Fewer Races on the Calendar
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Max believes the current number of races in Formula 1 is too high. He would reduce the calendar to include only the best tracks. Fewer races would ensure higher quality and more intense competition, while also reducing the physical and mental strain on drivers and teams.
Eliminate Sprint Races
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While sprint races have been introduced to add excitement, Max is not a fan of this format. He feels they dilute the importance of the main race and create unnecessary pressure on drivers. He would prefer to focus on the primary race as the weekend’s core event.
Shorter Race Weekends
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The Dutch-Belgian racing driver is in favor of reducing the race weekend to just two days: one practice session, one qualifying session, and the race itself. He argues that the current format of multiple practice sessions can be repetitive, and that the focus should shift to maximizing efficiency and excitement in an abbreviated weekend.
Limit Street Circuits
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Street circuits, while often visually stunning, are not Max’s preferred type of track. He feels that these circuits lack the challenge and excitement of traditional race tracks. By reducing the number of street races, the four-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion would like to see more emphasis placed on conventional racing venues, where real driver skill is truly tested.
Streamline the Regulations
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Max suggests simplifying some of F1’s technical and operational regulations. Currently, teams spend vast amounts of time and resources interpreting complex rules and regulations. By streamlining these, it could make the sport more accessible for teams and fans alike, without losing the technical edge that makes F1 unique.
Less Focus on Tyre Management
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In recent years, F1 races have often been defined by strategies that involve tyre management, with teams and drivers forced to preserve tyres for longer periods. Max believes this detracts from the pure speed and racing aspect of F1. He would prefer a greater focus on driver skill and car performance rather than on tyre conservation.
More Powerful Cars
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This 69-time Grand Prix winner would like to see more powerful cars in Formula 1, with increased engine performance. He believes this would create more thrilling races. More power would also highlight the driver’s ability to control the vehicle under extreme conditions.
Fewer Driver Aids
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While Formula 1 cars are incredibly sophisticated, Max advocates for reducing the amount of driver aids, such as traction control and adjustable engine modes. Removing some of these technologies would place greater responsibility on the driver to manage the car, thus leading to more dynamic racing.
More Open Communication Between Teams
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The world-renowned race car driver emphasizes the importance of transparent communication, particularly between drivers and their teams. He believes that the relationships between drivers and engineers can be strengthened through more frequent, open exchanges.
Enhanced Simulator Feedback
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Max Verstappen loves using simulators extensively as part of his training and development. He believes that current simulator technology could be even more closely aligned with real-world conditions, thereby better preparing drivers for race weekends.