Toto Wolff: Verstappen’s F1 critique stems from Red Bull’s ‘horror show,’ not shortcomings
Toto Wolff contends that Max Verstappen’s critique of Formula 1’s recent regulations is more a reflection of the challenges the Red Bull driver is facing on the track than an inherent issue with the latest generation of vehicles.
Following his retirement from the second race of the new season in China, Verstappen intensified his remarks, labeling the new rules as “a joke” and asserting that fans who appreciate them “don’t understand racing.”
The Red Bull driver has been vocally critical of this year’s revised power unit regulations since their announcement in 2023, and his stance has only solidified since the season commenced.
In contrast, Mercedes has had a robust start to the season, achieving a one-two finish in the first two races and winning the sprint race in Shanghai on Saturday.
Wolff believes that Verstappen’s aversion to the new cars is primarily due to the challenges Red Bull has encountered in the initial two races, which have left the four-time champion in eighth place in the standings.
“Max is really, I think, in a horror show,” Wolff remarked. “When you observe the onboard footage from his qualifying yesterday, it is just horrendous to drive. You can see that.
“However, this is not the case for many other teams. From an entertainment perspective, I believe that what we witnessed today between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing, with numerous overtakes.
“We have all experienced Formula 1 during times when overtaking was virtually nonexistent. Sometimes we are overly nostalgic about the past. But I think the product itself is good.
“We also observed considerable racing in the midfield, which I consider a positive aspect. Now, from a driver’s perspective, the situation changes when it comes to the full-throttle qualifying lap.
“Clearly, lifting costs time in qualifying. I am certain that for someone like Max, who drives at full attack, it is challenging to manage and accept. However, I would argue that it is more of a car-specific issue that amplifies the existing problem.
“Because if you are watching from a TV or a screen, even Max would agree that the racing at the front was interesting.”
Verstappen’s criticism primarily targets the increased focus on electrical power under the new regulations, which tends to favor energy management over pushing the car to its grip limits.
New boost and overtake modes offer more chances to pass rival cars during races, but they come at the expense of battery depletion, which can leave drivers unable to defend their positions.
Wolff acknowledges that the level of energy management in qualifying is not to his preference, but believes that fans are enjoying the new racing style.
“Yes, qualifying flat-out would be preferable,” he added. “But when you observe the fans and the excitement present, both live and on social media, the younger audience, across all demographics, currently enjoys the sport.
“So, while we can always explore ways to enhance it, all indicators and data suggest that people love it. I spoke with Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO], and he shares that sentiment. Thus, driving the car is not the most enjoyable experience for some.”
Source: espn.com
