Max Verstappen demands F1 rule change despite Qatar GP history being imminent

07 October 2023 , 06:37

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Max Verstappen wants Formula 1 to relax rules on sprint weekends (Image: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP)

Max Verstappen has questioned the current Formula 1 rules in regards to the restrictive time window for changes to be implemented on sprint weekends.

Unlike the three hours teams are permitted on regular race weekends, only one practice hour is given ahead of qualifying for teams and drivers to get to grips with their plans before getting behind the wheel.

Red Bull were caught out last year in Brazil but have made a marked improvement in 2023 after setting pole in both Austria and Belgium. However, Verstappen believes that the current regulations should be relaxed ahead of future sprint weekends.

Speaking in the post-qualifying press conference, he said: “It’s difficult to say where we would have ended up if we would have had a normal weekend, but with the track conditions for sure it’s a little bit more difficult to anticipate stuff.

“But I think we did the best we could really. I think it’s never going to be perfect, but clearly it was good enough and I was quite happy with the car in qualifying.

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“But it can also be that sometimes – and we’ve had it in the past – you make a few decisions where you think it’s going to be OK and then it doesn’t work out and then your whole weekend is ruined because you can’t touch the car.

“I think that is a bit of a shame and that’s maybe something we have to look into for the future if we want to continue doing these kinds of events. I understand for the show it’s good to mix it up a bit, of course, but at least you should be able to correct your mistake or potential mistake.”

While Verstappen is angling for changes, it promises to be a weekend to remember for the Dutchman, who is within touching distance of securing the 2023 drivers' title. He has already landed pole position for Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix but he could clinch the title even sooner as three points from Saturday's sprint race would be enough for glory.

He gave little away after qualifying but did admit he was more than happy with his performance ahead of a huge weekend of racing in the Middle East.

"The tarmac didn't give a lot of grip, so it was really building up to it lap after lap. I think we were in a good window, we were improving quite nicely, run after run," Verstappen said after Friday night's qualifying session.

"Especially run one in Q3, the car felt quite good, it felt like a good lap, but it was also really on the edge of knowing what is the limit at the moment with the track surface. So it made it quite tough, but overall, very happy with the performance, and the day."

Dan Marsh