F1 implored to act over Max Verstappen risk: 'This is not good'

F1 "should look into" the rampant dissatisfaction of most of its drivers, who have been openly critical of the new regulations, according to Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo.

Four-time drivers' champion Max Verstappen has led the charge, with scathing takedowns of the new rules, particularly surrounding energy management from the new 50/50 combustion engine-electric power units and wheel-to-wheel racing.

The Dutchman is particularly unhappy with the levels of energy management now required, branding the championship "Formula E on steroids" during pre-season testing.

Not only did that shine a light on the all-electric series, but it also set the tone for things to come, with the vast majority of the F1 field displeased by at least some aspect of the new regulations.

Only Lewis Hamilton has been consistently positive about the new cars, but it is well established how much he disliked the contemporary ground effects era.

Charles Leclerc was also extremely positive following the Chinese Grand Prix, having had great fun during his intra-Ferrari battle with his team-mate.

But the dissenting voices persist, and now, two rounds into the campaign, the premier single-seater series in the world is being encouraged to listen to its drivers, with Longo underlining the "really bad position" F1 finds itself in.

Speaking to RacingNews365 ahead of the Madrid E-Prix, he explained why he does not believe any noise is a net positive.

"Most likely, when you see the biggest star of the sport complaining, they're in a really bad position," he said when asked if F1 was at risk of losing its biggest stars, namely Verstappen. "This is not good.

"You know what they say: let them make noise, bad or good, but noise is always kind of positive for motorsport, or for a company in general.

"But in my view, they're risking the fact that the main top drivers and stars of the sport are openly against the new format of the races. Definitely, they should look into it."