F1: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Max Verstappen says the changes to F1's rules amount to "a tickle" in terms of addressing his and other drivers' concerns about the new style of racing. F1 has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in South Africa.

Key facts

• Max Verstappen says the changes to F1's rules amount to "a tickle" in terms of addressing his and other drivers' concerns about the new style of racing.
• Red Bull's Max Verstappen says the changes to Formula 1's rules amount to "a tickle" in terms of addressing his and other drivers' concerns about the new style of racing.
• Max Verstappen discussed the latest on his F1 future and whether the departure of his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will impact his decision; watch F1s return at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, with practice at 5pm and Sprint Qualifying at 9.30pm up first on Friday.
• Max Verstappen has delivered a blunt appraisal of the F1 2026 rule changes amid mixed reactions from drivers up and down the grid.
• Max Verstappen and his fellow drivers have delivered their verdict on the F1 2026 rule changes.

What we know

Going deeper, Red Bull's Max Verstappen says the changes to Formula 1's rules amount to "a tickle" in terms of addressing his and other drivers' concerns about the new style of racing.

On the substance, Max Verstappen discussed the latest on his F1 future and whether the departure of his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will impact his decision; watch F1s return at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, with practice at 5pm and Sprint Qualifying at 9.30pm up first on Friday.

Beyond the headlines, Max Verstappen has delivered a blunt appraisal of the F1 2026 rule changes amid mixed reactions from drivers up and down the grid.

More precisely, Max Verstappen and his fellow drivers have delivered their verdict on the F1 2026 rule changes.

It is worth noting that how to follow Miami Grand Prix on the BBCPublished1 day ago.

By the numbers

At this stage, the new engines have a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, and require significant energy management.

On a related note, the other key focus was reducing the likelihood of speed differentials caused when one car is deploying all its 350kW (470bhp) of electrical power and another is deploying none because it is charging its battery.

Going deeper, that cannot happen before next year because it has reliability implications with the current engines, and needs to be agreed by four of the five engine companies, as well as governing body the FIA and F1.

On the substance, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, said the new rules were "fundamentally just so flawed", adding: "We're still far away from proper F1 cars, and pushing flat-out without thinking about batteries.

The wider context

On a related note, two years ago, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was pushing for a return to V8 or V10 naturally aspirated engines, and he is known to still be keen on the idea.

Going deeper, the Mercedes driver said: "There's a lot of talk about going back to a V8.

On the substance, that would obviously be pretty cool, the sustainable fuel topic is a fantastic one, and I think would be great for Formula 1.

Beyond the headlines, If you look at the 'glory days' of Formula 1 20 years ago where everyone says they were the best cars ever - and I still agree they were probably the coolest cars we ever saw in Formula 1 in the early 2000s.

More precisely, Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app.

The bottom line

• How to follow Miami Grand Prix on the BBCPublished1 day ago.
• The new engines have a near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, and require significant energy management.
• The other key focus was reducing the likelihood of speed differentials caused when one car is deploying all its 350kW (470bhp) of electrical power and another is deploying none because it is charging its battery.
• Searches spiking right now: Rivals bring versions of Ferrari's radical F1 wing concepts, When Fernando Alonso will decide on his F1 future, Ferrari lead key F1 upgrade fight with staggering double-digit changes, Here’s Where to Watch Miami Grand Prix 2026 Live Online.