‘If you start adding more, it’s NOT worth it to me!’: World champion Max Verstappen threatens to QUIT Formula One if the bosses add more sprint races to an already packed calendar… the ‘DNA’ of the sport
- Max Verstappen has threatened to quit Formula One amid a planned review
- F1 bosses look to revolutionize the sport, including adding more sprint races
- The proposals also include plans to reduce the number of practice sessions.
Max Verstappen has threatened to quit Formula One if the bosses mess with his ‘DNA’ by expanding the number of sprint weekends.
The world champion, who took pole position for the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday morning, spoke in light of talks in the Melbourne paddock about a potentially revolutionary revision to the usual three-day format.
Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali wants to offer fans competitive action from Friday to Sunday by reducing the number of practice sessions that have been a staple of the Formula One experience for years and increasing the number of sprints held each season of the current six. .
While opinion in the paddock is divided on the proposals, the details of which are still being worked out, Verstappen made his position clear, saying: “I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be here for long.
‘I’m not a fan of that at all. When we do all those kinds of things, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of racing.
Max Verstappen has insisted he would leave Formula One if plans to reform the sport go ahead.
Proposals supported by chief executive Stefano Domenicali include reducing practice sessions and increasing the number of sprints.
“I understand they want to make every day exciting, but they should cut back on the weekend, and just qualify and race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.”
“We’re heading into seasons where we might have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more, it’s not worth it to me.” I’m not going to enjoy that.’
The first of this year’s six sprint races, run over a third of the distance of a grand prix, is scheduled for the Saturday of the next round in Baku on the weekend of April 28. The result will determine the starting order for the main event on Sunday.
Another aspect discussed is the introduction of an additional qualifying session, one for the grand prix and one for the sprint, possibly in a single lap.
However, Mercedes pairing George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are in favor of more sprints.
Verstappen, to whom Formula One Group explained the plans personally, added: “A sprint race is about surviving and not about competing. It’s not worth taking risks when you have a fast car. I prefer to keep my car alive to make sure I have a good race car for Sunday.
Even if you change the format, I don’t think it’s in the DNA of Formula One to do this kind of sprinting.
“F1 is all about making the most of qualifying and having an amazing Sunday in a long-distance race.
‘The action has been good and how do you get even more? Bring the cars closer and have more teams fighting for wins, six or seven of them. That would be crazy and then you wouldn’t have to change anything.
Not all of Verstappen’s teammates agree. Both Mercedes men George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second and third at the Albert Park circuit respectively, called for more sprints, which have certainly added an extra thrill of excitement since their introduction at Silverstone two years ago.