"Verstappen is clearly one of the drivers pushing hard behind the scenes for changes, and Formula 1 would be foolish not to listen to him. While easy to just assume drivers are complaining for the sake of it, Verstappen stressed after the race that he is being vocal because he loves the sport -- he said he wants it to be "Formula 1 on steroids," a nod to his comment earlier in the year that the new rules have made it "Formula E on steroids"."
"Max Verstappen is not having a good time with these new cars -- at all. That was clear from his first media session in preseason testing and his mood has not got any better at all. That feeling was not helped by a bizarre crash out of qualifying on Saturday. Verstappen has long teased the idea that he would walk away from F1 should he not like it."
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix season opener delivered competitive racing despite pre-race concerns about car performance and Mercedes dominance. Following the race, various claims about the sport's direction emerged, requiring evaluation. Max Verstappen's frustration with the new cars has been evident since preseason testing, intensifying after a qualifying crash. Verstappen has previously suggested he would leave F1 if dissatisfied with the sport. When asked about potential departure concerns, he deflected to criticizing the rules rather than denying the possibility. His vocal advocacy for changes stems from genuine love for motorsport, as evidenced by his desire for "Formula 1 on steroids" rather than the current "Formula E on steroids" format. His continued involvement in endurance racing demonstrates his broader passion for racing.
Read at ESPN.com
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