F1 News
Verstappen on why street circuits have become 'the worst experience'
Max Verstappen has detailed why he believes street circuits have become "the worst experience" and is against F1 prioritising new street circuit locations.
The expansion of the F1 calendar has brought new venues onto the schedule, with street circuits in Miami and Saudi Arabia joining in recent years.
The sport has faced a delicate challenge in implementing new circuit locations, with threats of losing classic F1 venues proving to be a hot topic among drivers and fans.
Red Bull's Verstappen was asked which circuit he would like to permanently stay on the calendar and, when quizzed specifically about Monaco, the Dutchman expressed his dissatisfaction at driving on street circuits in 2022 F1 cars.
"It is very tricky, especially in [Monaco] qualifying when you go to the limit, it's really tough to nail a lap," Verstappen told Viaplay.
"I'm personally more about high-speed corners, for me Spa 100% [should never leave the calendar], because that's really where you can make a big difference as a driver.
"Now with the new cars, driving on a street circuit is the worst experience ever. It's just because they're way too heavy, too stiff.
"I was driving in Singapore - and I love Singapore, it's a really amazing track - and I was really disappointed just with the how the cars are behaving, compared to like 2015, 2016 where it's a little bit more agile and you can ride the kerbs.
"Now the cars are so stiff [that] as soon as you touch the kerb you almost end up on the other side of the track."
Viewed by others:
Verstappen unenthused by Las Vegas addition
The latest event to be added to the F1 schedule is the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which will make its debut in 2023.
When asked about the Las Vegas street circuit and the recent calendar expansion, Verstappen said his preference was for 'old school' circuits.
"I'd prefer to go to Vegas in a different circumstances," joked Verstappen.
"We're getting more and more street circuits, which I don't enjoy with a Formula One car, they're not designed to drive on the street track. A Formula One car comes alive on proper high-speed corners.
"I understand [having] a few street circuits a year, but not too many.
"It's better to have the old school tracks, like Suzuka, a qualifying lap around there is so much more fun than random street circuits."
-
F1 News23m ago
US Congressman asks if F1’s Andretti block is a “money grab”
-
F1 News6h ago
RB reveals “chameleon” F1 Miami GP livery
-
F1 News12h ago
Vettel to drive Senna's 1993 McLaren in F1 Imola tribute
-
F1 News18h ago
The dilemma faced by players in F1's "uncomfortably early" driver carousel
-
F1 News1d ago
Newey free to join F1 rival in 2025, Red Bull warned of “unmitigated disaster”
-
F1 News1d ago
Guenther Steiner takes Haas F1 team to court
-
F1 News1d ago
Why a Monaco tyre test could help spice up F1 races elsewhere
-
F1 News1d ago
Aston Martin requests right of review for Alonso's China F1 penalty