Max Verstappen has revealed that Formula 1 and the FIA are potentially “working towards something” to placate the concerns surrounding the new regulations voiced by himself and other drivers, amid his admission that he does not want to quit the sport.
The Dutchman has been the most vocal of all the drivers currently displeased with the new rulebook and accompanying cars.
In pre-season testing, the four-time World Champion likened the cars to being like “Formula E on steroids”, and continued his critical remarks over the Australian GP weekend.
It has sparked fears that Verstappen, who has previously spoken of not attaching importance to records nor particular longevity in the sport, may threaten to retire.
Since then, F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali has since affirmed his belief that Verstappen would not do so, and speaking ahead of this weekend’s race in China, corroborated the Italian’s claim.
“Yeah, I don’t really want to leave,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “Like I said, I wish I had a bit more fun, for sure. But I’m also doing other stuff that is a lot of fun.
“I get to race the Nordschleife, and I hope in the coming years I can do Spa-Francorchamps, hopefully Le Mans, you know. So I’m combining stuff to find other things that I really enjoy as well.
“Of course, [I have] my team going on, so I have a lot of distractions at the same time-positive distractions, I would call them.
“But at the same time, it’s a bit conflicting, because I don’t really enjoy driving the car, but I do enjoy working with all the people in the team and from the engine department as well.
Verstappen added, jokingly: “So, yeah, it’s almost like a bit of a mind… Can’t swear it’s a 5k [fine].”
Max Verstappen hopeful potential changes ‘will improve everything‘
Friend and Audi driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, chimed in and counter-joked it was a 100k, to which Verstappen replied: “100k? No? Euros? Swearing? No, it’s 5k.
“I questioned if it was the word or the sentence, or anyway, you know what I mean, right? So no, I don’t want to leave. But I also hope, of course, that it gets better.
“I’ve had discussions with F1 and the FIA, and I think we are working towards something hopefully, and hopefully that will improve everything.”
With the FIA’s single seater director Nikolas Tombazis issuing a teaser of “aces up our sleeves” in regards to potential rule changes, Verstappen will no doubt be eagle-eyed as to what changes the sport’s governing body can or might implement, to soothe his concerns, as well as those of drivers such as reigning World Champion Lando Norris.
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