Max Verstappen delivers brutal warning to F1: 'It will come back and bite them in the ass'

Max Verstappen has warned F1 that its new rules "will come back to bite them in the ass" and "will ruin the sport" unless swift changes are made.

Verstappen endured only his third pointless weekend in the past four seasons after finishing ninth in the Chinese Sprint and then retiring in the grand prix whilst in the points with an ERS coolant fault, forcing Red Bull to protect the hardware.

The four-time F1 champion has again confirmed that talks are ongoing with F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali regarding the direction F1 should take with its regulations following the introduction this season with the 50-50 power split between combustion and electrical energy.

Verstappen is acutely aware, however, that whilst many drivers agree with his viewpoint, there are those who will be vehemently opposed, Mercedes, in particular, given the luxurious position in which the team finds itself.

"You have to be a bit careful with how you say things, but we are talking about it," said Verstappen, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365.

"I think they [FOM and FIA] understand where we are coming from as drivers, and I think I speak for most of the drivers. Some, of course, will say it's great because they are winning races, which is fair enough.

"You know, when you have an advantage, why would you give that up? Because you never know if you're going to have a good car again.

"But if you just speak to most of the drivers, it's not what we like. I don't think it's what the real F1 fans like. Maybe some fans like it, but they don't understand racing. But hopefully we can get rid of this."

Pointed out to Verstappen that F1 is naturally concerned with the commercial aspect and as long as fans are watching then that is okay for the sport, the Dutchman's response was sharp and to the point.

"I hope they don't think like that, because it will eventually ruin the sport," he said. "It will come and bite them back in the ass.

"For me, as long as we can just communicate with them and make sure that we are working on some solutions that will help a lot, but it's also going to be very difficult for everyone to agree.

"Of course, not everyone needs to agree, but most of the people have to agree to make changes. But, like I said, it's political. Some people feel they have the advantage now, and, of course, they want to use that, rightly.

"So I get that. I mean, I'm not stupid, but at the same time, if you look at it, for the sport, it's just not good."