Max Verstappen ‘New generation F1 car on street circuit is the worst'[F1-Gate.com]

F1 world champion Max Verstappen says he has had his worst F1 experience this year, racing the street circuit in F1’s new generation of ground effect cars.

Major changes to the F1 technical regulations for 2022 have ushered in a new generation of F1 cars designed around the ground effects philosophy. Most of the car’s downforce is generated by the car’s floor and underbody rather than the front and rear fenders.

Red Bull Racing engineered a best-in-class package, but it felt like a relatively tame car compared to its rivals, particularly Mercedes, which struggled with porpashing/bounce.

But Max Verstappen said external perceptions were deceiving, with the Red Bull RB18 suffering from difficult and sometimes unpredictable driving on F1’s uncompromising street circuit.

“Especially in Monaco qualifying was very complicated when you were close to the limit. It was really difficult to get the right laps,” Verstappen told Viaplay.

“Personally I prefer high speed corners. Spa should be 100% off the calendar because as a driver you can make a big difference.”

“It’s the worst experience I’ve ever had driving a street circuit with the new car, because it’s too heavy and too stiff.”

“I drove in Singapore. I love Singapore and it’s a really nice track. But I was very disappointed with the behavior of the car compared to 2015 and 2016 when it was a bit more agile and could handle the curbs.”

“The cars today are not very stiff and as soon as you hit the curb you almost go to the other side of the track.”

The growing popularity of F1 has led to an expansion of the sporting calendar. For example, two additional events have been added in the United States: Miami and Las Vegas.

The F1 driver had his first race in Miami last spring. Comments have been mixed, but now everyone is meeting in Sin City next November.

Max Verstappen said of the flashy future American event, “I’d rather go to Vegas in a different situation,” saying there’s nothing like the experience of racing full speed down an “old school” track.

“There are more and more street circuits that you can’t enjoy in a Formula 1 car. Cars are not designed to be on street circuits,” Verstappen said.

“F1 cars animate the right corners at high speed”.

“I know there are a few street circuits a year, but not too many.”

“I wish we had an old school track like Suzuka. A qualifying lap is so much more fun than a random street circuit.”

Category: F1 / Max Verstappen / Red Bull