Domenicali Responds to Verstappen F1 Regulation Criticism
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- Stefano Domenicali said drivers "can have their opinion" on the 2026 power unit regulations but stressed the need for constructive, closed-door discussion to find solutions.
- Max Verstappen called the yoyo-style racing "anti-racing" and said F1 drivers are competing on "not a lot of horsepower for F1 standards," adding that more people are now sharing his concerns.
- The FIA announced in May it had agreed with teams to shift the power split from roughly 50-50 combustion/electrical to 58-42 for 2027 and 60-40 for 2028.
- Verstappen said in March he was considering his F1 future if regulations didn't change, though he has not repeated that threat since the FIA's adjustment, with questions still open over whether he stays at Red Bull.
- Every 2026 F1 event has sold out, with record attendances including Silverstone (564,000), Australia (484,000), Belgium (400,000), Canada (360,000), Austria (320,000) and Hungary (310,000).
- Domenicali cited a conversation with George Lucas in Hungary, arguing new fans care about overtaking drama rather than technical details like throttle angle or brake pressure.
Why it matters: The FIA already conceded regulation tweaks for 2027 and 2028, meaning Verstappen's public pressure partially worked — yet Domenicali is reframing the debate toward fan growth and new audiences, using George Lucas as an unlikely validator. Verstappen has not recommitted to Red Bull specifically, keeping his team future as the unresolved subplot.
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