Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver suggests proposed 2027 rule changes could convince him to stay in F1 | F1 News

Max Verstappen has suggested changes to the 2027 Formula 1 regulations could persuade him to stay in the sport.

Verstappen revealed at the end of March that he was considering walking away from F1 at the end of the season due to frustration with the new 2026 power unit rules that forced drivers to drive in an unnatural way to optimize lap times.

The FIA ​​tweaked the regulations for the final race in Miami but agreed with teams to increase the proportion of total power coming from the internal combustion engine and reduce electrical output during breaks ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

The power split will be closer to 60-40 under the 2027 change to the reduction of the electric power component, thus returning to the driving style of yesteryear.

Once the power unit manufacturers vote on the final agreed package, the measures will go to the World Motor Sport Council to be rubber-stamped, a regulatory process that can be a formality at that stage.

“It’s definitely going in a very positive direction. I think it’s at least what I was expecting. I think it’s really nice that they want to do it. Of course I think the sport needs it too,” said Verstappen, who has a Red Bull contract until the end of 2028.

Asked if it would increase his chances of being in F1 next year, he added: “Yes, of course. I want a good product in Formula 1, and this will definitely improve the product.

“What I said before with the change, hopefully it will happen next year, it will already help a lot. I’ve always said it doesn’t matter if I have a good car or not, it’s just a product, and I think the product will improve like that, so naturally I think the enjoyment will increase as well.”

Verstappen has been one of the most vocal critics of the current power unit regulations but most grids have expressed concern about not being able to push the limits, particularly in qualifying.

But Verstappen said the FIA ​​had listened to the drivers, which was one of the positive aspects of this year’s rules talks.

The Red Bull driver said: “The more you achieve in the sport, I think, actually, you maybe have a bit more voice. At the beginning of the year, I had a few meetings with F1, and then, of course, with other drivers, also with the FIA, and it’s very good that they are open-minded and they listen to the drivers.

“I think we speak for the sake of the sport, or at least most of us do, and we want to make it a better product, and that’s why you come up with the recommendations, and I think what they’re trying to do is definitely the right thing.”

Norris, Antonelli agree to F1 directive for 2027

Reigning world champion Lando Norris is also worried about this year’s rules. At the third round in Japan he did not want to overtake the driver in front due to complications around the power unit system which meant not overtaking would be a potential advantage.

“I definitely think it’s a great direction. We all welcome it as drivers. We all want it,” he said of the deal to change the 2027 engine design.

“I think it will eliminate a lot of the discussion that we have here about not throttling and doing this and that

“Maybe it’s not the perfect world that we all want. But it’s definitely on the right track, I’d say. That’s what we want for the future. That’s what we want for racing. That’s what we all want as drivers.

“The FIA ​​is doing their best. You still have to try and make a lot of people happy. But if you want to make the sport better. If you want racing to be better. If you want drivers to be better and happier, of course this is the right direction.”

Mercedes have won four races so far this season and the most since the new power unit regulations, with Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers’ championship.

Although Mercedes has the fastest car with the current rules, Antonelli is still happy that the rules are going to change next year.

“I definitely can’t complain about PU and everything. But definitely, at the end of the day, we all want the game to go in the right direction. We all want the best for the sport,” said the Italian.

“There’s been a lot of talk with the FIA, with all the teams. Everyone seems very open to change for the betterment of the sport, ourselves included, so let’s see for sure what’s going to happen, if the change is going to be official.

“It’s going to be more similar to what it was last year, so let’s see. Certainly from a driving point of view, it’s going to be a lot more natural.”

Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule

Friday 22nd May
1.55pm: F1 Academy practice
3pm: F2 practice
5pm: Canadian GP Practice One (Session starts at 5.30pm)*
6.55pm: F2 Qualifying*
7.40pm: Team bosses’ press conference*
9pm: Canadian GP Sprint Qualifying (Session starts at 9.30pm)*
10.55pm: F1 Academy Qualifying*

Saturday 23 May
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP sprint build-up
5pm: Canadian GP Sprint
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying Build Up*
9pm: Canadian GP Qualifying*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook*

Sunday 24 May
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: Canadian Grand Prix*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Checkered flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*

*Also on Sky Sports main events

The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix and another sprint weekend head to Montreal. Watch F1 live on Sky Sports from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime