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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing driver, expressed strong criticism of the current generation of Formula 1 cars when it comes to low-speed corners. He described these machines as if they were boats due to their weight. These F1 ground effect cars are the heaviest of the modern era, weighing nearly 800kg. Their large size, with over five meters in length and approximately two meters in width, has had a negative impact on the quality of the races. Although they excel in high-speed corners, they struggle and become heavy in low-speed corners around the world. Verstappen acknowledged this after securing pole position in Suzuka, stating that fortunately there are not many low-speed corners on that particular circuit. He also mentioned that high-speed corners are more enjoyable to drive. Although current cars generate a lot of aerodynamic pressure in high-speed corners, Verstappen believes that previous cars were more agile. Looking to the future, F1 and the FIA are aiming for lighter and smaller cars in 2026, with a proposed weight reduction of up to 50kg. However, there are additional concerns beyond weight reduction. The 2026 power units will have a 50/50 power split between internal combustion and electric components, meaning energy conservation will be crucial. This directly affects the chassis and aerodynamic regulations for 2026, which are still in development. Front and rear active aerodynamics are being discussed for the 2026 F1 cars. Verstappen emphasized that the weight of the cars is the most important aspect of future regulations. He suggested that compromises will have to be made at certain tracks where a lot of energy is consumed per lap. Verstappen also expressed uncertainty about the potential implementation direction of active aerodynamics. He believes it is more important to focus on optimizing the weight of the cars rather than relying on tools and tricks to improve overtaking or following other cars. He believes there should be alternative approaches to achieve these goals.
