Did F1 Made A U-Turn Because Of Max Verstappen?
The short answer? Absolutely. The established order on the grid was shaken to its core by the four-time world champion directly threatening to ditch the sport. Max Verstappen had been a vocal, relentless critic of the proposed technical direction, aiming for the severely limited hybrid configurations by labelling them “anti-racing” and “dangerous” due to the extreme speed differentials on straights.
Last month, Verstappen made it clear to those in power that staying in Formula 1 would be a mental challenge he wouldn’t be able to endure if the simulation predictions of drivers being forced to downshift on straights to charge the batteries actually manifested.
While it comes in the form of a compromise, which will be implemented across a number of seasons to appease new entrants like Audi, the ultimate aim of a 60/40 split between combustion and electric power is a massive win for Verstappen’s campaign.
By imposing a 5% increase in fuel flow in 2027, and a whopping 13% increase in 2028, the internal combustion engine will be capable of 450 kilowatts, ensuring qualifying remains a flat-out pursuit of mechanical limits.
