Max Verstappen tells FIA what it needs to 'get rid of' to improve F1

Max Verstappen believes the FIA must "get rid" of the battery systems in F1 and avoid convergence with Formula E.

Last week, Verstappen launched an astonishing attack on F1's new 2026 rules, where the new power units produce their power via a 50-50 split between internal combustion and battery power, with the new systems featuring 350kw of energy, up from 120kw in 2025.

As such, in testing, drivers have had to lift and coast on straights as well as manage their energy to avoid reverting to ICE power only once the battery is depleted. 

Verstappen branded the new formula as "anti-racing" and like "Formula E on steroids", and hinted that his unhappiness with the regulations could bring about an early exit from grand prix racing. 

Formula E is introducing a new generation car of its own for next season, with 450kw in peak race power, with attack mode pushing this up to 600kw, but Verstappen is keen for the two series not to converge and be separate in their formulas.

"Well, let's hope not," Verstappen began when asked by media, including RacingNews365, if FE could become the main feeder series to F1. 

"I mean, it is not about the drivers, because there are a lot of good drivers who would be able to perform really well here, but I don't want us to be close to Formula E.

"I want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1, so don't increase the battery, actually get rid of that and focus on a nice engine and have Formula E as Formula E, because that's what they are all about.

"I'm sure that with the new Gen4 car, from what I've seen and talking to my friends, it is going to be a cool car, but let them be Formula E, and we should stay Formula 1, and let's not try to mix that."

When asked if he had received any pushback from F1 or the FIA over his comments last week, Verstappen declared that it was simply "free speech."

"I'm just sharing my opinion, we live in a free world, free speech, and that's what I felt," he said.

"That's what I felt, not everyone needs to feel like that, but that's how I felt, and then it doesn't matter what people have to say about it.

"I got a question, I shared my opinion, and I think I am allowed to do that, so it is not about receiving pushback or whatever, I was just being honest."