Why Max Verstappen and F1 rivals must wait longer for rule changes

The new F1 regulations have been causing quite a stir for some time.

For this season, the power units have a 50-50 split between combustion and electrical energy, resulting in major ramifications.

Over the first two grands prix of the year in Australia and China, the drivers have had to carefully manage the power from the battery to achieve an optimal lap time. Additionally, the battery drains quickly on long straights, resulting in clipping and a loss of top speed. 

This has led to considerable criticism from the majority of the drivers, with Max Verstappen the leader of the group. He has already compared the new cars to "Formula E on steroids" and 'Mario Kart'.

According to the Red Bull driver, it has nothing to do with racing. Drivers now mainly overtake each other because the battery of the car in front is dead, or with the push of a button. F1 and the FIA are not deaf to that criticism.

Possible solutions have already been discussed at various drivers' briefings, but finding a solution is no easy task. The engine concept cannot be overhauled. In the short term, the only possibility is to limit battery influence. That, however, would make the cars significantly slower.

In addition, two teams, in particular, are happy with how the racing has transpired so far, as Mercedes and Ferrari are comfortably ahead of the opposition.

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing third in China, his first podium in 26 races with the Scuderia, even went so far as to claim that what has taken place on track so far has been "the best racing that I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1".

That is completely at odds with what Verstappen has said, although he can appreciate why the two teams would be opposed.

April break crucial

The FIA previously announced that a major review with the teams was scheduled after the Chinese GP to see where the regulations could be improved. However, RacingNews365 understands no changes will be implemented now before the next race in Japan. 

On the one hand, this has to do with the feasibility of making any alterations in such a short timeframe; on the other, a long break is unexpectedly approaching in April following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs.

F1, the FIA, and the teams will now use this extended period to evaluate if changes are required, using the Japanese GP as the third case study of the rules, rather than making a knee-jerk reaction to the early criticism.

If changes are suggested, it would require a super majority to vote in favour. As previously mentioned, two of F1's biggest names, Mercedes and Ferrari, would undoubtedly be opposed. 

It is clear, though, that something needs to happen to make Formula 1 more representative of what it stands for.

Should an agreement be reached in April, the Miami GP in May represents the ideal starting point.

And a few things also need to be tweaked for 2027. All the drivers, at least, seem to concur on that.