Max Verstappen doesn't think budget cap will impact F1 next year

Max Verstappen

Verstappen doesn't think budget cap will impact F1 next year

There will be massive regulation changes in 2021

Martin Macdonald

Tuesday 3 March 2020 16:53

Max Verstappen reckons the budget cap set to be introduced for the 2021 Formula 1 season will not make a difference with regards to how the championship plays out.

Next season will see one of the biggest, if not the biggest, change to regulations in the history of the sport, with new guidelines for power units, aerodynamics and standardised engine parts set to be introduced.

Another factor will be the $175 million budget cap which will be implemented in an attempt to level the playing field between the elite and midtable teams.

However, Verstappen can’t see it impacting the racing too much in the short-term.

“I do not think it will make much of a difference, because most teams are already investing heavily in the 2021 cars,” the Dutchman told Verstappen.nl.

Ferrari admit reliability focus has compromised power on SF1000Read more

“The big teams can invest more, so they will have a head start into the new year. It may take a couple of years before you see a difference.”

The 2020 season, meanwhile, has the most races ever (if you include the postponed Chinese Grand Prix), but Verstappen hopes the current amount of events is the maximum F1 organisers will go for as he feels the schedule is already tight enough for the drivers and teams.

Article continues under video

“I think the current number of races is okay. I would not want to do any more, as we are already a lot away from home,” he said.

“It is not only the races, but also everything else in between.

“That is why I would not want to do any more Grand Prix. Not because I do not like it, but because it will be too busy. I think it is important to be able to have a life outside of Formula 1.”

Verstappen enjoyed the best season of his career in 2019, earning wins in Austria, Germany, and Brazil, as well as securing his very first pole position in qualifying for Hungary.