Lucas Di Grassi Voices Strong Opposition to F1's New Hybrid Regulations
Lucas Di Grassi, the seasoned Formula E driver, continues to express his firm disagreement with the latest Formula One rules and regulations. Under these new guidelines, F1 cars now operate on a hybrid format, combining partial combustion engines with partial electric powertrains. This shift has sparked significant debate within the motorsport community, with Di Grassi at the forefront of the criticism.
Di Grassi Reacts to Max Verstappen's Comments on F1 Evolution
The Lola Yamaha ABT driver has now publicly responded to comments made by F1 superstar Max Verstappen regarding the new generation of Formula One vehicles. Verstappen recently remarked that Formula One should maintain a distinct identity separate from Formula E, regardless of technological advancements. Di Grassi's reaction comes just days before the highly anticipated start of the new F1 season on March 8, adding fuel to the ongoing discussion about the future direction of premier motorsport categories.
In a recent Instagram post, Lucas Di Grassi shared a video with the caption "What do you think?" In the video, he elaborated on his perspective, stating, "So Max Verstappen has been saying that Formula One now is like Formula E on steroids, and actually I agree with him. The current rules of F1 allow for a very different type of driving style compared to what they had last year, and sometimes saving energy is better than going flat out, and this I disagree with. I think Formula One should have the fastest cars on the planet, flat out all the time, and efficiency driving, optimization, strategy, and many other things should be done in Formula E. So what do you think?"
Fan Reactions and Support for Di Grassi's Stance
Di Grassi's followers and fans quickly showed their support in the comments section of his social media post. One enthusiastic fan wrote, "I completely agree with my anointed one." Another supporter added, "Agree 100%." A third comment highlighted traditional F1 values, stating, "I agree with Max! Formula 1 is a V10 engine category, drivers driving at the limit, noise, the smell of fuel and burning tires. Anything other than that can be sustainable, ecological, evolutionary, but it's Nutella!" This feedback underscores a segment of the motorsport audience that yearns for the classic, high-octane essence of Formula One racing.
Formula E Veteran's Perspective and Broader Industry Reactions
Lucas Di Grassi is a Formula E veteran who has been an integral part of the electric racing series since its inception in 2014. At 41 years old, he continues to compete actively on the track while also being vocal about issues that matter to the future of motorsport. Over the past several weeks, Di Grassi has been actively raising concerns about the introduction of hybrid-focused regulations in Formula One, arguing that it blurs the lines between the two premier racing series.
Di Grassi is not alone in addressing this matter. Jeff Dodds, the CEO of Formula E, also commented on the situation during the recent Jeddah E-Prix. Dodds extended an intriguing invitation to Max Verstappen to test-drive the upcoming Formula E GEN4 Evo car, saying, "I sent him a slightly tongue-in-cheek message last night. I haven't checked, but I don't think he's replied. Look, if Max wants to come and test out the GEN4 car, I think he'd be really impressed by what's coming. Open invitation, no cameras, no media, any racetrack he wants in the world. We'll put a car on the show for him. Love it." This gesture highlights the friendly yet competitive dynamic between Formula E and Formula One as they navigate their evolving identities.
The next race in the Formula E calendar is the Madrid E-Prix, scheduled for March 21, which will continue to showcase the electric series' advancements. Meanwhile, the motorsport world watches closely as debates over hybridization, efficiency, and pure speed shape the future of elite racing competitions.
