Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen further sharpens stance over 'Formula E on steroids' brutal dig

15:59, 18 Feb

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byTobia Elia

Verstappen remained firm in his stance after describing the new generation of cars as “Formula 1 on steroids.”

“I’m just sharing my opinion. I think we live in a free world, free speech, that’s what I felt”

- Max Verstappen

Verstappen stands firm on his stance over the regulations

Last week, during the opening week of testing in Bahrain, the four-time world champion was highly critical of the new regulations, making his dissatisfaction abundantly clear.

Quizzed in the press conference about those remarks, the Dutchman said he had simply voiced his opinion in a straightforward manner: “I’m just sharing my opinion. I think we live in a free world, free speech, that’s what I felt.”

He then added: “Not everyone needs to feel like that, but that’s how I felt. Then it also doesn’t matter, of course, what other people have to say about that. I got a question and I shared my opinion, and I think that I’m allowed to do so. It’s not about receiving pushback or whatever. I’m just being honest.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Finally, when asked about the possibility of seeing Formula E drivers in Formula 1, the Dutchman said he hopes that scenario does not materialise, stressing that each category should stick to its own lane and retain clearly distinct characteristics.

“Let’s hope not. (It's) not about the drivers, because there are a lot of good drivers that will be able to perform really well there, but I don’t want us to be close to Formula E. I want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1.

So don’t increase the battery, actually get rid of that and focus on a nice engine. And have Formula E as Formula E, because that’s what they are about.

“I’m sure that with the new car, from what I’ve seen and talked to some of my friends there, that’s going to be also a really cool car. But let them be Formula E and we should stay Formula 1, and let’s try not to mix that.”