Max Verstappen slams F1 for changing the traditional Qualifying format, says the sport ‘should not just be about money’

Max Verstappen believes that the Sprint weekend was not necessary in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen slams F1 for changing the traditional Qualifying format, says the sport ‘should not just be about money’

Max Verstappen (image via RNZ)

Max Verstappen is currently the driver to beat in Formula 1. The Dutch driver has won two back-to-back world championships, and the 25-year-old is looking for the third title this season. However, this has not discouraged the Red Bull driver from criticizing certain decisions of Formula 1, including the new F1 Sprint format. Now, Verstappen has once again called out the sport for this change.

Formula 1 brought in F1 Sprint for the first time in 2021. This format added a new sprint race on Saturday that set the order for the grid on Sunday, with Qualifying moving to Friday. This season, the weekend was changed again with a separate Qualifying session for the Sprint. At the same time, the Main GP would simply follow the pecking order from Friday. The first sprint weekend this year was at the Azerbaijan GP.

Max Verstappen was adamant that he remains a staunch critic of the sport for certain decisions, including the F1 Sprint. Verstappen clarified that he is not completely against new rules or tweaks to the sport. However, the two-time world champion believed there was no need to alter the tried and tested Qualifying format that had worked so well. The Dutch driver insisted that financial benefits should not be the only reason to bring change.

The Red Bull driver told Telegraff.nl, “It’s not that I’m completely against change, as is sometimes said… Why do you have to change certain things when things are going well? I think a traditional qualifying session is well set up in that form. It shouldn’t just be about money.”

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Max Verstappen cares more about the F1 experience than money

Max Verstappen on the Hungarian GP podium (Credits: @F1/Twitter)
Max Verstappen on the Hungarian GP podium (Credits: @F1/Twitter)

The two-time world champion has a staggering net worth of $200 Million. The Dutch driver is reportedly the richest in Formula 1. However, the 25-year-old insisted that money is not the sole focus for the Red Bull driver. Verstappen believed that such changes in the sport could hamper the overall experience in F1, and that might not be worth his lucrative earnings.

Max Verstappen explained, “In the end, it’s not about that. People may think: he earns a lot of money, what is that guy complaining about? But it’s about well-being, how you experience things, and not how much you earn… Sometimes think: is this still worth it?”

Despite not being fond of the F1 Sprint format, Verstappen has continued to give his everything for the races. Although, the 25-year-old lost out to Sergio Perez at the Azerbaijan GP earlier this year. The 25-year-old won the Sprint weekends at the Red Bull Ring and Spa-Francorchamps.

Thus, Max Verstappen remains adamant about his views against F1 Sprint. The 25-year-old is unhappy with the changes to the traditional weekend format at Sprint weekends. Although, Verstappen is a fierce racing driver who continues to dominate the sport that he has cherished since his childhood.

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