Max Verstappen has after a mysterious departure in qualifying in Australia Once again, clear criticism of the new Formula 1 generation was expressed. The world champion complains about an unnatural driving experience, excessive energy management – and even openly admits that he no longer enjoys driving.

This is how Verstappen explains the crash in qualifying: “Never experienced it before”

The discussion was triggered by an unusual incident on the track in Q1. Verstappen describes the moment of departure as completely unexpected: “I simply pressed the pedal and suddenly the entire rear axle completely blocked,” he explains.

Such an effect is extremely unusual, especially in modern Formula 1 cars. “This is very strange. I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life.”

The Dutchman was unable to name a specific cause immediately after the incident. “I have no idea where that came from,” he says. At that point, he wasn’t able to talk to his team about it.

Such behavior was not known from the winter tests either. “No, we didn’t have anything like that in the test,” emphasizes Verstappen.

Now it became even clearer. “I definitely don’t have any fun with these cars at all,” says Verstappen openly. It doesn’t matter to him where he places in qualifying. “It doesn’t matter whether I start at the front or further back. Emotionally and in terms of feeling, it’s completely empty.”

Norris: “From the best car to the worst”

World champion Lando Norris also got out of his McLaren contrite. “We went from the best cars in history to perhaps the worst in terms of drivability,” said the Brit, who will only start from sixth place in Melbourne. And further: “We have to live with it now and make the best of it.”

It was clear to Verstappen even before the first race started that the season could be difficult. “I’ve already mentally prepared myself for the fact that it’s going to be a very long year.”

Verstappen and Norris complain about the new F1 era

The Dutchman’s main point of criticism remains the complex energy management of the new drive units. The high proportion of electric vehicles forces drivers to drive in a completely different way. “You just can’t drive naturally anymore,” explains Verstappen.

“I could talk about it for hours,” Norris adds to the general criticism, “everyone knows where the problems are: it’s the 50/50 split, it just doesn’t work.”

Instead, you have to consciously slow down on many sections of the route in order to save energy. “Basically, you have to accelerate as little as possible everywhere in order to save the battery. You have to approach certain corners completely differently so that you can save battery again at the corner exit,” says Verstappen.

For Verstappen, this distances the sport from its actual core. “For me it has very little to do with racing.”

Criticism of the regulations – changes are hardly possible

Verstappen does not believe that the situation could improve in the short term. Even if adjustments were made, there would be little wiggle room. “There’s really nothing you can do,” he says.

While Red Bull and McLaren are suffering, there are smiling faces in the Mercedes garage. The two Silver Arrows start from the front row in Australia and are over half a second ahead of the competition in the crucial qualifying part. A show of force.

However, this is not surprising for Verstappen: “I already said that in Bahrain,” he explains. “Just wait until Melbourne – then you’ll see how fast they are.”

By Kevin Hermann, co-author: Ronald Vording