Max Verstappen was asked about the rule changes after qualifying in Miami, particularly those affecting qualifying. Specifically, are drivers still penalized if they try to go faster through certain corners?
"That's still the case. If you give more throttle in certain corners, it still slows you down on the straight afterwards. We really need to get rid of that.
That will be difficult on certain circuits. Hopefully they can take another step next year: more engine power and less battery. Then you'll get that sorted out better."
"The rules they've adjusted don't really affect the overall driving pleasure."
However, they are already looking at a new engine regulation, with the possible return of the V8 engine.
"That's obviously going to take a while. We'll see about that. But you know: the car itself is fine, you can race reasonably well with it. We just need to move away a bit from that 55/45 ratio (the distribution between the combustion engine and the battery, ed.). It should at least go back to something like the previous regulations. So that you're around 75 or 80 percent engine power. If we can head in that direction, that would be really nice." But is that realistic for next year?
"No, you're definitely not going to see 75 or 80 percent next year."
"It's always a political story, because everyone always thinks they have an advantage somewhere, or not. But I'm just thinking about how we can make the sport better. It just shouldn't be the case that if you go full throttle longer through a corner, where you gain time, you then get penalised on the straight. We need to get rid of that."
"The criticism of the regulations remains the same. It doesn't matter if I'm second or eighth, but for myself and in terms of driving feel, this is of course a bit nicer. It still needs to be resolved though."
Max Verstappen:
"I'm not enjoying Formula 1 as a whole.
That's what I'm saying. I'm thinking about everything within this paddock."
"Privately I'm very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it's 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"
'I want to be here to have fun'
"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am. Because I also know that you can't be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I'm very realistic in that and I've been there before. I've not only been winning in F1.
"But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn't feel natural to a racing driver.
"Of course I try to adapt to it, but it's not nice the way you have to race. It's really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it's just not what I want to do.
"And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day it's not about money any more because this has always been my passion."
"As a kid this is what I wanted to do and back then I had no idea what I was going to achieve and how much money you make. You never think about that as a kid. And it's also not about that."
"I want to be here to have fun and have a great time and enjoy myself. At the moment that's not really the case.
"Of course I do enjoy certain aspects. I enjoy working with my team. It's like a second family. But once I sit in the car it's not the most enjoyable unfortunately.
"I'm trying. I keep telling myself every day to try and enjoy it. It's just very hard."
"I see it like this: You hear it from a lot of sports people when you speak to them about how are you successful. It all starts with actually enjoying what you're doing before you can actually commit to it 100%.
"Now I think I'm committing 100% and I'm still trying, but the way that I am telling myself to give it 100% I think is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I'm doing.
"And now people can easily say, 'Yeah, well, you've won so many championships and races and now just because the car is not good you are complaining.' Maybe you can see it like that, but I see it different."
He added that one option would be to go and race in sports cars — he is already planning to take part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year.
"I have a lot of other projects anyway that I have a lot of passion about. The GT3 racing. Not only racing it myself but also the team. It's really nice and fun to build that. And I really want to build that out further in the coming years."
"It's not like if I would stop here that I'm not going to do anything. I'm always going to have fun. And also I will have fun in a lot of other things in my life."
"But it's a bit sad to be honest that we're even talking about this. It is what it is. You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'll be fine."
He implied that a change of the rules would make a difference to his decision-
"They know what to do"
My Dearest @KingJames,
How does one put into words the admiration and love felt for you, now standing tall at 41 years of age?
It feels like just yesterday we watched your first steps onto an NBA court, and today we marvel at the legend you’ve become.
LeGOAT still feels insufficient. You are a legend, a masterpiece in motion, a lifetime unfolding before our eyes.
Thank you for the moments we will cherish forever. Thank you for your excellence. Thank you for being you.