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Max Verstappen renews with Red Bull amid criticism of F1 cars
Max Verstappen has committed to staying with Red Bull Racing, signing a contract extension that theoretically lasts until 2030. The four-time world champion confirmed he engaged in respectful, serious discussions with Mercedes and McLaren before deciding to remain with the team he describes as a ‘second family.’
Despite his renewal, Verstappen expressed significant frustration with the current state of Formula 1. He criticized the modern cars for being ‘numb’ to driver inputs, arguing that the current technical regulations limit a driver's ability to showcase individual skill. He noted that drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson can adapt to different cars almost immediately because the machinery does not respond sensitively to specific driving styles.
Verstappen also highlighted the ‘unnatural’ nature of current racing, where drivers must often manage energy and lift-off to gain top speed rather than being rewarded for pure commitment, such as late braking and early acceleration. He suggested a return to V8 engines for better drivability and expressed a desire to see the team resolve the performance and balance issues currently affecting the RB22.
Entities
Formula 1 · Liam Lawson · Max Verstappen · McLaren · Mercedes · Red Bull Racing · Yuki Tsunoda
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Verstappen held discussions with Mercedes and McLaren before deciding to remain with Red Bull. www.f1mania.net · www.gpblog.com
- [DISPUTED] Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull Racing for several more seasons. fr.motorsport.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Modern regulations force drivers to brake earlier or lift off the throttle to gain performance, which Verstappen describes as unnatural compared to historical driving styles. www.f1mania.net · www.gpblog.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Current Formula 1 cars are insensitive to individual driver inputs, limiting their ability to showcase unique skills. www.f1mania.net · www.gpblog.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Verstappen cited Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson as examples of drivers who adapted quickly to different cars due to current technical limitations. www.f1mania.net · www.gpblog.com