RacingAlexander Wurz has backed Max Verstappen’s criticism of Formula 1’s new hybrid regulations and is urging a single driver voice to push for changes. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chair said the GPDA’s 22 members should speak together to regulators about the rise in electrical power, the focus on energy management, and the impact on racing and safety.
Wurz said the GPDA must present one voice so officials take driver concerns seriously. He confirmed every full-time driver is a member. He framed the goal as a united push to address problems that drivers say are now clear on track.
The core complaint centers on the new hybrid setup, which targets equal ICE and electric output. Drivers argue the package demands heavy energy management. They say that makes cars more complex and less enjoyable to drive. It also hurts on-track battles, because drivers must save energy and plan deployment rather than race flat out. The result, they argue, is less freedom to attack and more focus on managing state of charge.
Recent events have sharpened the debate. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman slowed due to energy recovery and saving, exposing how the new demands can change car behavior at high speed. The incident drew attention inside the GPDA. Director Carlos Sainz questioned how the FIA is handling fixes and whether the response matches the risks drivers see. For the group, it highlighted both practical and safety concerns linked to the current rules.
Drivers are not only raising problems. They are working on answers. Wurz described an “explosively active” WhatsApp group where drivers are trading technical ideas and drafting concrete proposals. The aim is to define changes that improve racing without losing the sport’s technology goals. He said the GPDA had warned years ago about the risks of extreme energy demands but felt those warnings did not land in time as the regulations took shape.
Wurz’s support of Verstappen aligns the GPDA leadership with the most vocal public critique of the rules. The message to the FIA and F1’s rulemakers is consistent. Reduce the burden of energy management, restore more natural racing, and remove safety gray areas linked to power deployment and recovery. By speaking together, the drivers hope to speed up the review process and ensure their experience in the cockpit drives the next set of adjustments.
The GPDA now plans to keep pressure on through detailed proposals. It wants regulators to engage with that work, test solutions, and give drivers confidence that changes will reach the track quickly and safely.