F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has no doubt Max Verstappen will continue in Formula 1, despite his recent criticism, after holding a “very constructive meeting’ with the four-time champion.

Verstappen has exercised what he considers to be “free speech” in heavily denouncing the direction F1 has headed with its latest major regulation change, describing the cars as “Formula E on steroids”, that they are “not Formula 1”, and are “anti-racing”.

The 28-year-old has been joined in the condemnation by almost every other driver, although they have not been as outspoken as the Red Bull star.

Domenicali made clear during a briefing with the media, including RacingNews365, that he didn’t understand the negativity or panic, that these were very early days and that, over time, as with regulations in the past, the opinions of the drivers would change.

“We’ve met with all the drivers,” said Domenicali, who met with Charles Leclerc shortly before speaking with the media, whilst he also held talks with Verstappen on Wednesday.

“As you know, he is incredible,” added F1’s CEO and president. “He has a way of saying something that can sometimes be interpreted in a certain way, but I guarantee to you that Max does care about Formula 1 more than anyone else.

“We had a very constructive meeting, and he will have a very constructive meeting also with the Federation [FIA] to highlight his point of view, and what he believes needs to be done to keep the driving style at the centre without changing, let’s say, the approach.

“We shouldn’t forget that the evolution of the technology behind the cars requires, of course, a different way of driving them. That has happened in the past, and this will happen in the future.

“But I can guarantee, and I really, really share the fact that everyone has been very, very constructive, that the comments of the first day are really different from the comments of the third or fourth days of driving, and this will evolve.

“I’m pretty sure that when we sit down together in the middle of the year or at the end of the year, you will see a different picture of comments, a different picture of political debate, because that’s normal in Formula 1.

“Everything has happened the same way since the beginning, with every step change in the regulations, both from a technical perspective and from the drivers.

“When there was a change in 2021, some technical director was saying that the car was slower by six, seven seconds, and that was not the case, and we saw what happened after a couple of years.

“My style is always to be very prudent, to try to solve things internally because we don’t have to highlight things that are not in the interests of the fans.

“We know that Max will be part of the future of Formula 1. Of course, it’s very important we listen to him, as we are listening to all of the top drivers who are very important in this sport.”

Asked as to why he was so certain, Domenicali added: “Because I have a very good relationship with Max, I know him very, very well. I spend a lot of time with him. That’s the reason. Full stop. And he loves Formula 1, there’s no doubt about it.”