Max Verstappen remarked “soon we will have to throw banana peels” amid the FIA’s plan to implement a ‘Manual Override Mode’ to boost Formula 1 passing in 2026.
The FIA has released the guidelines that will be the basis for the new regulation change with the main headline being the move back towards lighter and smaller cars.
Along with a 30kg reduction in weight and a 100mm cut in width, the new cars will also utilise active aerodynamics to mitigate the increased electrical engine aspect.
The next-generation power units will use sustainable fuels and have close to a 50/50 power output split between the internal combustion engine and the electric side.
Verstappen, who had voiced his displeasure over the revised rules last term on several occasions, has adopted a more favourable tone since tweaks have been made.
“To be honest, I’m now a bit in the middle,” he told Motorsport.com. “The new rules are what they are and I think they mainly have to do with the engine regulations.
“They realised that active aerodynamics was necessary to reduce air resistance to achieve a decent lap.
“Otherwise, at some point you will no longer have any power from the battery, and they discovered that themselves.”
Verstappen’s final point alluded to the alarming revelation he made that simulator tests with the new cars had him shifting down the gears at Monza on the straights.
The Dutchman has divulged that this has since been addressed with active aero on the front and rear wings using an ‘X-mode’ that will give drivers a top-speed boost.
“But now they have changed the way you use the energy a bit on straights,” he continued.
“As a result, I think we no longer have to downshift on straights, although the curve with which you achieve the speed is slightly different.
“I think everyone needs more simulations to get a good understanding.
“The active aerodynamics is mainly needed to tackle the problem on straights. If they arrange that well, then it will be the same for everyone.”
Meanwhile, the FIA also revealed that there would be a ‘Manual Override Mode’ incorporated which gives a driver chasing a rival car an energy boost from the MGU-K.
The scheme would in essence replace the Drag Reduction System (DRS) as an overtaking aid and would see the driver behind draw on 350kW up to speeds of 337kph.
Verstappen resorted to a Mario Kart reference with his “banana peels” comparison, but the Red Bull driver does harbour worries over the mode promoting false racing.
When asked whether it could make overtaking too artificial or complicated, Verstappen responded: “Let’s hope not, let me put it this way. I personally hope it doesn’t.”
“It is still a bit of a work in progress and we need more simulations.
“We will see what it turns out to be I get in the car and think ‘oh, this feels great’, but I don’t know. That’s why I’m a bit neutral now. Ultimately, we have to drive with what we get.”
Verstappen has also concurred with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso regarding concerns that the FIA’s aim to lose 30kg of weight from the current cars is unrealistic.
“As it seems at the moment, that will be very difficult,” he assessed. “Now some teams already have a car that is too heavy, so it is above the minimum weight.
“I know the cars are getting a little smaller, but if teams reach that 30 kilos, then we are really talking about the perfect scenario of what is possible.”
The three-time champion agreed with Lewis Hamilton’s view that the targeted weight slash is not enough, despite acknowledging that the engine makes that unviable.
“Then the cars should actually become one hundred to one hundred and fifty kilos lighter,” he added.
“It is absolutely not possible with the way things are now. That mainly has to do with the engine.
“The battery is currently very large, both long and wide, which makes something like [that] wishful thinking.
“But we actually need such a weight saving to make the cars more agile and a bit more fun.
“Safety has also added a lot of weight, although I am convinced that it can be done differently. It just depends on how you write the regulations.”
