Verstappen demands 'more pure' F1 racing as 2027 rule change faces resistance

Max Verstappen has renewed his call for Formula 1 to deliver "more pure" racing, as a key 2027 rule change to reduce reliance on hybrid power teeters on the edge of collapse. The Red Bull driver, who scored his first podium of the 2026 season at the Canadian Grand Prix, wants the sport to abandon its increasingly complex power unit regulations.

Verstappen has long opposed the current 50:50 split between internal combustion engine and the 350kW battery system. Minor tweaks for Miami reduced the lift-and-coast burden, but an agreement in principle before Miami to shift to a 60:40 split for 2027 is now under threat.

Why it matters:

Verstappen is the sport's most dominant driver, and his criticism carries weight. The direction of F1's engine rules will define racing for the next decade. A return to simpler power units could reshape competitiveness and fan engagement—but manufacturers have invested heavily in current technology.

The details:

• The rule change: An agreement was reached in principle before the 2026 Miami Grand Prix to alter the power unit output ratio from 50:50 to 60:40 for 2027, reducing battery reliance.
• Opposition: Audi and Ferrari have differing concerns about changing the rules so soon after committing significant investment to the 50:50 architecture, RacingNews365 understands.
• Verstappen's frustration: "While driving, it's all a bit confusing. It's not what F1 should be about," he said. "The fans don't even know what we are dealing with while driving—how much battery we're allowed to charge, what we have to do on a formation lap. All these things are just a shame."
• A longer-term fix? FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that F1 is likely to return to V8 engines from 2030, with most power unit manufacturers in favor.

What's next:

The 2027 60:40 split faces an uncertain path, with manufacturers pushing back. Verstappen believes the change "is the minimum necessary" to make racing more natural. If it fails, the V8 return—still years away—becomes the next battleground for purer racing. For now, Verstappen insists: "Give us any car, we'll give a good show. But it needs to be more pure."