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F1 Today | Verstappen critical, McLaren warns changes need to happen

by sports••0
F1 Today | Verstappen critical, McLaren warns changes need to happen
Max Verstappen stays critical of the new Formula 1 regulations, while Andrea Stella warns about safety concerns. Recap the best stories of the day with GPblog here!

Verstappen critical of the FIA: ‘Didn’t they realize how bad it would be?’

The four-time world champion fears some Grands Prix will end up being strange, including his favourite one at Spa-Francorchamps, due to energy management on long straights.

Verstappen spoke about the matter to Dutch media in Bahrain, where GPblog was also present. The Red Bull Racing driver did not address F1 or the FIA directly, but commented: “I think they maybe didn’t fully realize how bad it would be. But yeah, we’ll see [in the coming period]. On this circuit it’s still fairly okay. When you go to Melbourne, you really see how much you have to back off on a straight.”

Andrea Stella – Photo: Race Pictures

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella rings the alarm bells

Andrea Stella believes changes have to be made ahead of the first race of the season in three areas: race start procedures, overtaking, and the possibility of lifting and coasting collisions.

The Italian argues that changes need to happen as soon as possible, and wants progress already by next week.

He told GPblog: “I think a compromise is possible and I think it is the job of the F1 Commission that we have next week to make sure that this is achieved.

“I think it’s imperative because it’s possible and simple. So we should not complicate what is simple and we should not postpone what is possible immediately. Therefore, I think it’s something that we should definitely achieve before Australia,” the team boss concluded.