Max Verstappen sets 'minimum' desire over crunch F1 2027 seat decision

Max Verstappen has stated that a 60/40 power-unit split for 2027 represents the “minimum” level of change required to satisfy him under Formula 1’s current regulations.

Following the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, teams, manufacturers and the FIA reached an agreement in principle to revise the power-unit balance for next season.

The proposed changes would increase the contribution of the internal combustion engine while reducing reliance on battery power, moving away from the current 50/50 split that has drawn criticism from several drivers throughout the year.

However, doubts have since emerged over whether the proposal will be implemented, prompting Verstappen to warn that continuing with the existing configuration is “mentally not doable”.

Speaking after the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, the Dutchman reiterated that a 60/40 split would be the bare “minimum” required for him to be satisfied with the regulations going forward.

His comment came after he secured third place in Montreal, claiming his first podium finish of the season.

However, after experiencing endurance racing at the Nürburgring 24 Hours earlier this month, Verstappen acknowledged that modern Formula 1 can no longer be regarded as “pure” racing due to the increasing emphasis on energy management and technical constraints.

“I know how pure other motorsports can feel like,” he told Sky F1.

“So when you come back to this, it's not very nice. I don't want to be too negative now after a race like this.

“But I know what it feels like to drive pure racing cars and pure overtakes, pure racing, and just natural driving. 

“This is all a bit, especially qualify, very anti-driving, anti-racing, and that's not what F1 should be about. 

“I really hope that next year we can get that 60/40 because that will actually help everything a bit.”