Max Verstappen has expressed clear doubts about Formula 1’s current cars, saying the growing emphasis on energy management is taking the sport away from what drivers traditionally expect. However, reigning champion Lando Norris takes a more positive view and says the new technical direction still offers plenty of enjoyment.

Four-time world champion Verstappen said the increased reliance on energy recovery systems and battery management does not match his idea of Formula 1 driving.

“The right word is management. But at the same time, I know how much work has been going on behind the scenes, including on the engine side for the guys. So it’s not always the nicest thing to say,” the Dutchman said, as quoted by BBC.

“But I also want to be realistic. As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids,” Verstappen added.

The current regulations require drivers to carefully balance performance with energy harvesting. Cars cannot run flat out continuously because battery charge must be rebuilt several times each lap. This has led to visible changes in driving style, including lifting and coasting on straights, adjusting gear use in corners for better harvesting, and even avoiding full acceleration before qualifying laps.

For Verstappen, this reduces the purity of driving.

“As a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out. And at the moment, you simply cannot drive like that. There’s a lot going on. Much of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a big effect on the energy side of things. For me, that’s just not Formula 1. Maybe it’s better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy efficiency and management. That’s what they stand for. From a driving point of view, it’s not so enjoyable,” the Red Bull driver concluded.

Lando Norris, who narrowly secured the 2025 title ahead of Verstappen, sees the situation differently. The McLaren driver says adapting to new technical demands is simply part of Formula 1’s evolution.

“A lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s nicer to drive, sometimes less so,” the McLaren driver commented.

Norris also pointed to the bigger picture drivers should keep in mind: “We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so we can’t really complain at the end of the day.”