F1 News: Max Verstappen Warned Of "Big Rule Changes Coming"

Former F1 driver Timo Glock praises Max Verstappen's skills but warns of the impact of significant upcoming rule changes on the racing landscape.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock has expressed admiration for Max Verstappen's talent behind the wheel but hinted at significant challenges ahead due to impending F1 rule changes. Glock warned Verstappen of these changes, admitting that he should be wary of his car's performance. 

Key Takeaways:

• Verstappen's Dominance: Glock lauds Verstappen as a three-time world champion and a formidable force in the current season, suggesting his potential for more championships if he continues to enjoy the sport.
• Anticipated Rule Changes: Glock warns of big rule changes that might affect even top drivers like Verstappen, emphasising the importance of a strong car for maintaining his lead.
• F1 Commission's Decisions: The F1 Commission's recent decisions on the Sprint format, tyre availability, car cooling, and other aspects, set for implementation from 2024, could significantly alter the racing landscape.

Timo Glock, a respected name in Formula 1, offered a candid perspective on Max Verstappen's current standing in the sport and the challenges ahead. He praised Verstappen, a three-time world champion, for his remarkable performance this season. 

"He is of course one of the big-name drivers and a great one, a three-time world champion and the way he has dominated this season puts him in the league of the top guys.

"He is the guy to watch out for to break new records.

"If he has fun driving those cars for a few more years he will win more world championships," said Glock.

However, Glock also pointed out the unpredictability of the sport, especially with significant rule changes on the horizon. 

"You never know. There are still some big rule changes coming in. He is a great driver but if the package is not there and you are not quick enough you won’t be a world champion," he added.

The forthcoming changes, approved by the F1 Commission, are expected to bring substantial modifications to the sport. Key among these are updates to the Sprint race weekend format, improvements to wet weather tyre visibility, adjustments in tyre supply, enhanced cooling measures for drivers, safety improvements, and cost cap tweaks.

Furthermore, significant regulation changes are planned for 2026. These include a shift towards active aero to reduce drag, changes in car dimensions, weight reductions, and enhanced energy recovery for the hybrid systems. These changes, while aimed at improving the sport, have stirred controversy and concern among teams and drivers.

Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's head of single seaters, assured that thorough simulations and considerations have been made to ensure these changes enhance the racing experience. 

"A lot of work has been done to understand how energy recovery and management will have to be done, and how overtaking can be done based on the aerodynamic configuration," he said.

"We have carried out many simulations by changing these parameters and we have found solutions that seem to work adequately."

Thank you to MegaDice.com for this interview.