Summary
- Verstappen wants a return to V8 engines with a smaller electrical contribution.
- His preferred weekend would feature practice and qualifying on Saturday, followed by Sunday’s race.
- He believes Sprints reveal too much about race pace and give drivers another opportunity to correct mistakes.
Max Verstappen would reshape Formula 1 around lighter engines, shorter weekends and a greater emphasis on the main race. Speaking on P1 with Matt and Tommy, the four-time world champion outlined changes to both the cars and the event format.
His engine preference remains a V8, potentially accompanied by a small battery providing an overtaking boost. He also favours reducing practice time and preserving more uncertainty before Sunday’s grand prix.
“Right now change the engine back to a V8. It fixes so many things,” Verstappen said.
A shorter weekend with fewer practice sessions
Verstappen’s preferred format would concentrate the driving into two days. Practice and qualifying would take place on Saturday, with the grand prix following on Sunday.
“You arrive Saturday morning, FP1, qualifying and then the race on Sunday,” he explained.
He acknowledged the commercial importance of providing attractive action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Nevertheless, his preference as a driver is to reduce the preparation available before the main event.
Why Verstappen would change the engines
Verstappen’s argument centres on how the current cars reward energy management. He believes the need to organise electrical deployment can reduce the benefit of attacking corners and applying the throttle early.
For him, a smaller battery should support an overtaking attempt rather than dominate the approach to a lap. His preferred outcome is a driver completing the move under braking.
The proposals are his vision for the championship, rather than an announced regulatory package. Formula 1’s existing technical framework remains the basis for the upcoming races.
What bothers him about Sprints?
Verstappen believes Sprints disclose much of the competitive picture before the grand prix. They also allow drivers to identify tyre-management errors and adjust their approach overnight.
His preference is to arrive at the main race with more unknowns. That would place greater weight on a driver’s ability to judge the conditions and manage the tyres correctly during the grand prix itself.
The debate follows Hamilton’s objections to a Sprint at Monaco. Both discussions concern what additional racing contributes to a weekend, although the drivers’ arguments address different aspects of the format.
Verstappen now heads to Sepang after finishing second to George Russell in Azerbaijan. The Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia takes place from October 2–4, marking Formula 1’s first visit to the circuit since 2017.
F1 today: FAQ
What time does F1 practice start at Sepang?
Friday practice begins on 2 October. FP1 starts at 05:30 BST in the UK, 10:00 IST in India and 14:30 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne. In New York and Toronto, it starts at 00:30 EDT; in Los Angeles and Vancouver, at 21:30 PDT on Thursday. FP2 begins three and a half hours later.
Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas and retiring from F1?
Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026, but says he intends to remain in Formula 1. He has not announced retirement and would consider a reserve role while seeking another race seat.
What happened to Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Piastri was running near the front in Baku before a mistake during a Safety Car restart dropped him out of podium contention. He finished 14th, adding to a difficult 2026 season for the McLaren driver.
Which engine would Verstappen prefer?
A V8, potentially supplemented by a small battery for an overtaking boost.
