George Russell has countered Max Verstappen’s assessment of Formula 1‘s new regulations with some damning remarks, suggesting “Netflix fans” may be more open to the sport’s big changes.
The Dutchman provided a spicy and somewhat negative of the new cars, suggesting that the increase of energy management makes F1 now like “Formula E on steroids.”
Verstappen’s comments have opened up debate, with other drivers giving their own assessments of the cars from the impressions gained from this week’s Bahrain pre-season test.
Fernando Alonso questioned the necessity to go slower in corners to have an overall lap time, suggesting some turns are now taken so slowly that the Aston Martin chef could drive it.
Reigning World Champion Lando Norris was more positive, saying his experience was “a lot of fun,” and joked that if Verstappen “wants to retire, he can retire.”
Russell, with whom Verstappen has quarrelled previously, went a step further. When asked if F1 should try and produce the fastest cars within reason, Russell acknowledged the current issues, but reasoned that a newer generation of F1 fans might see things differently to older demographics.
“It is the ultimate goal, but I think, as with anything in life, you can’t tick every single box,” the Mercedes driver told media including Motorsport Week
“There’s more at stake, and when these regulations came in, there was a huge push on EVs from the EU, and that was a big part for Audi to come in, so there has got to be that consideration.
“Nobody can argue that Formula 1 isn’t in an amazing place right now. Of course, we want the best and fastest cars; we want to tick all of the best racing, but how do you achieve that? How do you achieve those things and please everybody?
“I don’t know how you please everybody, and what we feel in this paddock as racing enthusiasts, maybe these new Netflix fans feel differently.”
Max Verstappen told: ‘You’re welcome to go to the Nordschleife’
Russell continued that naturally, drivers and swathes of fans will want F1 to return to the old days of louder combustion engines.
The Brit then appeared to suggest that Verstappen may have been spoilt by his recent successes, and made a dig about his additional sportscar racing pursuits.
“We all want V10s, V8s and the loud noise, but I think some people from the grandstands quite like to be able to have a conversation whilst watching the race, so as Lando said, we’re privileged to be in this position, and in all honesty, I just want to win,” Russell said.
“I guess for a driver who has won quite a bit recently, you just want the best car and the most fun cars to drive, so yeah, you’re welcome to go to the Nordschleife, I guess.”
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