Why Max Verstappen’s Formula E comments may come back to bite him

There was always a sense that the subject of Formula E would be raised in the Formula 1 paddock this year, due to the latter's move towards electrification.

However, what was not expected was just how quickly the all-electric series would be brought up, in particular, by none other than four-time champion Max Verstappen.

During the first of two three-day tests in Bahrain a fortnight ago, the Dutchman described the new F1 power unit regulations as "like Formula E on steroids" and said they were "anti-racing".

As previously written, Verstappen's comments spread like wildfire in the Formula E paddock during the Jeddah E-Prix. Verstappen has a brutally honest way of expressing how he feels, but there was nothing malicious in his comments.

Effectively, what he was trying to say was simple: leave Formula E to be Formula E, and F1 to be F1. In short, leave electrification alone and stick to internal combustion.

Why F1 has not introduced a V8 or V10 with 100% sustainable fuel is a question for another day, but it is clearly what Verstappen wants. Many Formula E drivers agreed with what was said, as did CEO Jeff Dodds.

Speaking to RacingNews365 in Jeddah after Verstappen had made his original comments, Dodds said: "I viewed Max’s comments as very logical, which is: if I wanted to race in this style of racing, I would be at Formula E, which is what they’ve always done and what they’re designed for. That’s not to my taste."

He added, "What I think is interesting is that as Formula E continues on its trajectory [with Gen4], the style of racing in Formula E becomes probably more and more to his taste. 

"It gives you this ability to feel like, on the start line, you’ve been hit by a juggernaut up the backside, because it takes off at a rate he will not have experienced in any of the cars he’s raced. 

"And once you’ve got the 600 kW fully unleashed on a racetrack, I think he’d love that style of racing. Let’s see if we can get him in a car at some point."

Verstappen aware of Formula E's future

Verstappen is no stranger to Formula E. He attended the 2019 Marrakesh E-Prix, where he served a "public service" punishment from the FIA following his physical altercation with Esteban Ocon in São Paulo the previous year.

The 28-year-old is very much aware of what is happening and, crucially, what is coming in Formula E. He has several close friends in the paddock, and he previously worked with Dodds on a $250,000 charity bet.

Without sugar-coating it, Formula E is reaching a critical moment in its relatively short history at the end of this year, with the competitive introduction of its Gen4 car, which will kickstart its next regulatory cycle.

While it will be officially launched in April, renders of the car were released last November. The FIA and the manufacturers have been busy with private testing.

It is a game-changer for Formula E and will see it move between F1 and Formula 2 in terms of pace, through a lap time improvement of roughly 8–10 seconds compared to the current Gen3 Evo. The Gen4 is a serious beast — one Verstappen has heard all about.

"I'm sure that with the new car [Gen4] from what I've seen and talked about with some of my friends in there, that's going to be a really cool car," Verstappen said during the second Bahrain test. "But let them be Formula E, and we should stay Formula 1, and let's try not to mix that."

Again, the message from Verstappen was clear - keep F1 and Formula E as far apart from each other as possible. Interestingly, he also said, "I don't want us to be close to Formula E."

Article continues below the image

The 2030 overtake

From everything Verstappen has said, he wants F1 to very much avoid electrification and remain the pinnacle of motorsport, as it has since its introduction in 1950. That could come back to bite, as Formula E is on an upward trajectory. 

EVs and battery technology remain very new in the automotive industry, with advancements constantly being discovered. The outcome is better, and better technology in Formula E means faster, more powerful cars that are able to run longer. 

The Gen4 is the first major step towards F1, with the performance difference between the pair likely to decrease further should slick tyres be introduced by Bridgestone, potentially in 2028, as is rumoured in the paddock. 

While F1 decides what it wants to be going forward, Formula E has a clear direction. Gen4 will take a huge chunk out of its deficit; Gen5 could very well overtake it. 

Gen5 will mark the next car and regulatory cycle, with all arrows pointing to it matching or even overtaking F1. That could be introduced as soon as the end of 2030, when F1 could return to a V8. 

Battery technology is only going to improve, making Formula E faster. Already, Dodds has had conversations with F1 drivers wanting to test the new Gen4 car. But could the Gen5 be the one which truly turns their heads? 

The big question is, if Formula E becomes faster than F1 across a lap, does it become the pinnacle? Formula E is not to everyone's taste, but for those wanting to watch the fastest motorsport on the planet, they might soon have to give it a go.