Verstappen denounces new F1 format: 'It’s just ridiculous, figure it out'

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Max Verstappen disapproves of new qualifying format
22 July 2023 at 13:47
Last update 22 July 2023 at 14:27
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Max Verstappen does not have a good word to say about the new qualifying format Formula 1 is trying out in Hungary. The Dutchman even calls it "ridiculous", speaking to Viaplay.

This weekend, drivers must qualify in Q1 on hard tyres, in Q2 on mediums and only in Q3 are they allowed to use the red coloured tyre. It causes teams to try to save many sets of tyres for qualifying and the race, so as not to have to run on used tyres. "I really think it's completely rubbish," said Verstappen. "I was talking about it [during the first two free practice sessions] with my engineers. We stayed in for 15 minutes, because I only had one set anyway."

Verstappen denounces new format

Saving tyres is the credo this weekend. "You have to save your tyres for qualifying and the race, because that is the most important thing. If you use the tyres in free practice, you have nothing left for the race," the Dutchman explained. "Everyone has to be extra economical with the tyres and that's [not fun for the fans either]. The free practice sessions are actually there, of course, to use at least two sets of tyres."

Verstappen would have liked Formula 1 to try something different, because this is nothing. "Sometimes they like to make it extra difficult, and that's [the case] again now with this format. I think it's really ridiculous, but we have to put up with it and they have to figure it out."