Mansell backs Verstappen, warns current F1 rules curb racing

1992 world champion Nigel Mansell stepped into the Sky Sports F1 studio to back Max Verstappen’s outspoken complaints about the sport’s new rules, and to shut down whispers that the Dutch driver might retire.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s vocal criticism steers the rule‑making conversation and forces the FIA to consider changes before the 2026 cycle.
• Driver backlash risks fan disengagement, so the sport’s credibility hinges on balancing technical limits with pure racing.

The details:

• Mansell praised Verstappen as “a class act” and said his recent season “was astonishing”, rejecting any retirement speculation.
• He echoed Verstappen’s gripe: mandatory energy harvesting and “super‑clipping” force drivers to lift off for 50‑70 km/h in fast corners, which he called “not Formula 1”.
• FIA single‑seater director Nikolas Tombazis said the rules need “adjustments” but not a full rewrite. Technical meetings start at Suzuka (April 9) with a decisive session on April 20.

What's next:

• FIA will meet teams and the drivers’ association in the coming weeks, aiming to implement tweaks before the summer break.
• If tweaks curb energy‑harvest limits, higher corner speeds and tighter battles could return in the next European races.

This clash of opinion underscores a pivotal moment: the sport must balance technical innovation with the pure racing that made F1 a global spectacle.