Max Verstappen feeling helpless while doubling down on F1 argument

Max Verstappen has not changed his stance on Sprint races in F1, admitting that he has no other choice but to go along with the changes made starting in Azerbaijan this weekend. The Dutchman has made it clear that he’s not a fan of the shortened race, which debuted in the sport back in 2021.

This season will see six race weekends host the Sprint, an increase from three over the past few years. And it was announced earlier this week that an agreement had been reached on radical changes to the format on weekends featuring Sprints.

It’s seen as a move to encourage more on-track racing with Sunday’s Grand Prix now not affected by the outcome of the Sprint. But Verstappen has his doubts on whether it will change much near the front of the pack.

When asked by Sky Sports whether he thought people would go for it more with the changes to the format, Verstappen said: “Maybe some people who are outside of the points and they try to get a point. I think once you’re up front, it’s not making a massive difference.

“The risk involved of potentially having a shunt or whatever, I don’t see it being a lot different to what it was in previous sprint weekends. I think there will be a little bit more chaos around because of the extra qualifying.

“This track anyway is normally quite chaotic, so this will only make it a little bit more chaotic. From my side, I don’t think it will change a lot. If you have first, second or third, you’re quite happy in that position and just get the points and get it over with.”

Verstappen went on to admit that he had no other choice but to accept the changes to the format for the Sprint. He also called on F1 bosses to think carefully about the welfare of the sport’s drivers in an already jam-packed schedule.