Max Verstappen believes that Formula 1 must remove the layers of energy management that, in current races, dictate the performance of each lap, stating that the sport has drifted away from the fundamentals of driving.
The four-time champion has been among the most critical of the engines introduced in the 2026 season, where there is an almost 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power, with the aim of attracting more manufacturers.
“The starting procedure can take 4 to 5 seconds. Then, normally, you simply start moving. The problem is that there is an entire software running in the background that can prevent you from leaving, or a failure can occur, or something like that. Even on slow laps, unforeseen issues can arise,” he said.
“As you cross the finish line, you should be able to simply lift off the throttle, without worrying about battery charging or ensuring it reaches the maximum charge at the right moment. The same applies at the start; you must ensure the battery is at the proper level — or during a overtaking, where the battery also needs to be at the correct level,” he continued.
“You shouldn’t have to spend time thinking about where to lift off or downshifting to guarantee a more efficient power delivery,” he added.
Verstappen also stated that this kind of calculation has no place in the sport in its purest form. “This kind of thing is not what racing should be. You should simply step onto the track, have a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal, and that is what should define lap time,” he concluded.
