F1 / NEWS & CONTEXT

Verstappen favours V8 return for Formula 1

The Formula 1 driver says a lighter engine, paired with limited battery assistance for overtaking, would make the cars more enjoyable to race.

GPBeat · Newsroom05 Oct 2026, 23:37 · 1 min

Asked on Matt and Tommy’s P1 podcast what one aspect of Formula 1 he would change, Verstappen chose the engine, RacingNews365 reported on 29 September. He favours a return to a V8 or something similar, arguing that a lighter engine would make the cars more enjoyable to drive and race.

Verstappen said he would accept a small battery for a push-to-pass system, provided it helped drivers set up an overtake without removing the need to make a move under braking. He contrasted that with Straight Mode, whose effect he said depends on battery charge, and recalled that DRS had been too powerful at some circuits.

A V8 or V10 would be his ideal engine, Verstappen said, though he reckons a V8 is more likely today. He also preferred how the cars and wheels felt in 2020 and 2021.

Sources 01

SOURCEVerstappen verklaart vurige F1-wensRacingNews365 · Source date as found: 2026-09-29

Source context

Pepijn van der Hulst’s 29 September article for RacingNews365 recounts Verstappen’s remarks on Matt and Tommy’s P1 podcast.

Claims and supporting evidence 4

In a September 29 article by Pepijn van der Hulst, RacingNews365 reports that F1 driver Max Verstappen was asked on Matt and Tommy's P1 podcast what one aspect of Formula 1 he would change. The supplied source is the RacingNews365 account, not the podcast itself.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Origin and attribution of the opinion Reported September 29, 2026; the podcast appearance is described as recent, without a precise date. The podcast recording was not supplied.

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According to RacingNews365's account of his remarks, Verstappen would change the engine first and favours a return to a V8 or something similar. He argues that a lighter engine would improve the driving and racing experience; these are his assessments, not measured outcomes established by the supplied source.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Preferred engine and stated rationale His stated preference at the time of the reported podcast appearance in 2026. The article does not establish that a V8 would deliver the claimed benefits or that an engine-rule change has been agreed.

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Verstappen says he would accept a small battery for push-to-pass, provided the assistance helps set up an overtake without removing the need to make a move under braking. He contrasts that preference with battery-dependent Straight Mode and says DRS used to be too powerful at some locations.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Conditional overtaking-assistance preference His stated view in the reported 2026 podcast appearance. This describes his preferred setup and recollection, not a technical measurement or adopted regulation.

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Verstappen also describes a V8 or V10 as his ideal, while estimating that a V8 would be more likely today. Separately, he says he preferred how the cars and wheel size felt in 2020 or 2021.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Qualification of the engine preference and other preferences His current preference, with a comparison to 2020–2021 cars. His estimate about which engine might be more likely is a prediction, not evidence of an agreed future specification. The article provides no independent performance comparison for the older cars.

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Corrections and updates to this story

05 Oct 2026, 23:37

De Nederlandse uitleg over het afmaken van een inhaalactie in de remzone is verduidelijkt.

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.