Max Verstappen joins Lewis Hamilton in criticizing modified Hungarian GP format : PlanetF1

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Lewis Hamilton is not a fan of the new format tested at the Hungarian Grand Prix and for once has Max Verstappen as an ally on this subject.

In the first of two alternative scheduled tire allocations [ATA] testing in F1 2023, drivers saw their usual allowance of 13 sets of slicks reduced to 11 at the Hungaroring.

And during qualifying, the drivers will have to compete in Q1 on the hard tires, Q2 on the mediums and Q3 on the soft ones, rather than having free choice throughout the sessions.

Max Verstappen joins Lewis Hamilton in hitting format

The idea behind this alternative format is that Formula 1 can take a step closer to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 by reducing the amount of tires distributed for race weekends, although on the track the results were less than ideal judging by Friday’s action.

Mercedes’ George Russell revealed he spent all of FP2 on a set of used soft tyres, with Mercedes teammate Hamilton, who also ran a set, snapping the format, saying it takes “time on the track away from the fans”.

And Verstappen isn’t backing the initiative either, saying the battle it creates to save tires is “not the right thing”.

Asked by the media to comment on the sentiment of the RB19 upgrades for the Hungarian GP, ​​Verstappen replied: “Honestly, it’s very difficult to comment. We’ll look at the data to see if everything correlates as we didn’t use a lot of sets of tires today.

“With this new format, you’re just super limited with the sets of tires you can use, and I didn’t want to use them today to at least have a bit more preparation tomorrow.”

“But it’s a bit of a shame – there are so many people and you don’t run much.

“We have to see what we can do to improve that because we are literally saving tyres, which I think is not the right thing.”

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Haas driver Kevin Magnussen proposed that this different format could be improved by reducing the practice sessions to two or even one, as is the case on a sprint weekend, rather than the usual trio of hour-long practice sessions.

“They might as well reduce the sessions,” he suggested. “Just maybe a practice or two.”

Verstappen recorded a P11 finish in FP2, an unfamiliar event for the world championship leader who is on a six-game winning streak.

But beyond what was a rather unrepresentative session and the long-term pace of RB19, Verstappen thinks it feels pretty practical.

“The long term looked pretty competitive,” he said.

“So it’s a little hard to tell on a one-lap pace, but overall the car feels solid.”

Verstappen takes a 99-point lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Read next: Lewis Hamilton doubles down on his criticism of the format change and suggests an alternative plan

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