Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has sensationally threatened to quit the sport if organisers continue to make tweaks that are “not in the DNA of Formula One.”
The Dutchman once again hit out at sprint races, and lashed out at a proposal to hold qualifying for the Sunday’s main race on Friday (instead of Saturday), with a separate qualifying on Saturday morning for a stand-alone sprint that afternoon.
“I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long,” Verstappen told Portuguese TV channel Sport TV.
In his post-qualifying press conference, Verstappen added: “I am not a fan of [the proposals] at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races.
“It is not the right way to go about it. I understand they want to make every day exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.
“We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that.
Watch the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports this Sunday, 2 April at 3:00pm AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Verstappen & Perez get a little weird | 02:09
“A sprint race is all about surviving and not racing. There is nothing to risk when you have a quick car. I prefer to keep my car alive and make sure you have a good race car for Sunday.
“Even if you change the format, I don’t find it is in the DNA of Formula One to do these kinds of sprint races.
“F1 is about getting the most out of it in qualifying and [then] have an amazing Sunday over a long race distance. That is the DNA of the sport and I don’t understand why we need to change that.”
Many of Verstappen’s rivals have praised the proposals, saying they add more interest into a race weekend instead of the traditional format of three free practice sessions – including two on a Friday.
MORE NEWS
What F1 star’s forbidden mullet says about his Australian obsession
McLaren’s reason for Piastri ‘shame’; Red Bull star’s ‘terrible’ blow: F1 Talking Points
Mad Max stars after teammate’s last-place blunder, surprise in 2nd as Aussie struggles
‘That’s seriously on fire’: Scary Supercars scenes as car goes up in flames
Verstappen claims pole at Australian GP | 01:23
SESSION TIMES
Sunday, April 2
9.05am – 9.55am: Formula 3 Feature Race
10.20am-10.55am: Supercars Race 4 (laps TBC)
11.35am – 12.40pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
1pm — 1.30pm: F1 drivers’ parade
3pm — 5pm: F1 race (58 laps)
HOW TO WATCH
The entire Australian Grand Prix, including every practice, qualifying and race, can be watched live and ad-break free on Foxtel and streaming platform Kayo.
Cold tyres cost Piastri Q2 berth? | 00:48
