Max Verstappen has clarified his \u2018Formula E on steroids\u2019 remark, insisting his concerns centre on energy management rather than criticism of the all-electric series.<\/p>\n
This season, Formula 1 is embarking on a new era with a 50\/50 split in electrical and combustion power coupled with fully sustainable fuel.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen: \u2018Let Formula E be Formula E \u2013 we should stay Formula 1\u2019<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n It is a long way from the petrol-guzzling V12s last run in 1995, or even the 2.4-litre V8s raced as recently as 2013.<\/p>\n Formula 1 adopted hybrid turbocharged V6 engines that featured both a kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) and a heat energy recovery system (MGU-H) in 2014. The power unit delivered a near-on 80\/20 split, with the internal combustion engine producing around 550 kW and the MGU-K electrical system providing about 120 kW of peak power.<\/p>\n This year, the split is nearly 50\/50, with electrical energy almost tripling.<\/p>\n Battery management will, according to Verstappen<\/a>, be one of the biggest issues the drivers have to deal with this season.<\/p>\n And he wasn\u2019t the only driver to make a Formula E reference in his verdict on the new cars, with Liam Lawson turning to his compatriot and Formula E race winner Nick Cassidy for a few tips.<\/p>\n Verstappen equated the experience to \u201cFormula E on steroids,\u201d a comment he has now moved to clarify. Rather than a snipe at the all-electric series, he framed it as a critique of Formula 1\u2019s regulatory direction.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s hope not,\u201d Verstappen told PlanetF1.com and other media in Bahrain on the opening day of the second test when asked if battery management in F1 could open the door for Formula E drivers to make the switch.<\/p>\n \u201cNot about the drivers, because there are a lot of good drivers that would be able to perform really well here, but I don\u2019t want us to be close to Formula E.<\/p>\n \u201cI want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cSo don\u2019t increase the battery, actually get rid of that and focus on a nice engine and have Formula E as Formula E, because that\u2019s what they are about.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure that with the new car, from what I\u2019ve seen and talked to some of my friends in there, that\u2019s going to be also a really cool car.<\/p>\n \u201cBut let them be Formula E. We should stay Formula 1 and let\u2019s try not to mix that.\u201d<\/p>\n More on F1\u2019s energy concerns<\/p>\n Oscar Piastri warns F1 drivers could lose six places at 2026 starts<\/a><\/p>\n Audi F1 team principal weighs in ahead of compression ratio showdown<\/a><\/p>\n The four-time world champion stressed that his remarks were simply a personal view on the direction of the regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just sharing my opinion,\u201d he said. \u201cSo I think we live in a free world, free speech, and that\u2019s what I felt.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone needs to feel like that, but that\u2019s how I felt. And then it also doesn\u2019t matter, of course, what other people have to say about that. I got a question and I shared my opinion.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that I\u2019m allowed to do.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s not about receiving pushback or whatever, I was just being honest.\u201d<\/p>\n While the Dutch racer may not be a fan of the new regulations, he says it\u2019s a case of so far, so good for Red Bull and its new Red Bull Powertrains engine, and he\u00a0was quick to stress his confidence in Red Bull\u2019s preparations.<\/p>\n \u201cI think in general, for us, it has been a very positive start to the year. Building a whole new, fresh power unit from the ground up, it\u2019s been really impressive to see.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been really enjoyable working with everyone. And it\u2019s, of course, a very proud moment for all of us. So it\u2019s been nice.<\/p>\n \u201cToday maybe the start wasn\u2019t that great for the team, also, last week we had one day where it was a bit more difficult. But I guess that\u2019s all to be expected, right?<\/p>\n \u201cBut overall, I\u2019m very happy, very happy with the car in general. We don\u2019t have too many problems, so that\u2019s been okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Red Bull has been tipped by Mercedes and McLaren as the team to beat as the sport gears up for the season-opening race in Melbourne on 6-8 March.<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Mat Coch<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n