Formula 1 Drivers Discuss Upcoming Regulations as They Prepare for Simulator Work

As the racing community gears up for the Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto have playfully engaged in a friendly banter about their upcoming work in the race simulator. The shift in regulations coming in 2026 promises to bring a new era of uncertainty, as engines will now be powered half by internal combustion and half by electric energy.

The Impact of New Power Units on Performance

With this significant change looming, drivers have begun expressing concerns about potential power issues from the new power units affecting their performance over an entire lap. This has sparked several questions about the effectiveness of the upcoming regulations. While teams and drivers remain focused on the current season, the impending rule changes are bound to capture attention eventually.

When asked about Sauber’s competitive edge compared to other teams, Bortoleto sought Verstappen’s insights into Red Bull’s approach. “I think it’s a bit difficult to know at this stage,” he said. “It’s a bit too early, also comparing to other teams. Sometimes I try to ask Max, but he never tells me how they are doing with engine and car.

In response, Verstappen proposed a knowledge exchange, seeking information about Sauber’s plans for the next season in return for some insights into Red Bull’s strategy. Bortoleto suggested that Red Bull has been excelling for years and feels he could learn more from Verstappen than he could teach the four-time champion.

The Simulator Challenge

Verstappen then issued a challenge to Bortoleto, inviting him to beat a lap set by him in the simulator. “I’ll help you with the sim driving,” Verstappen said. “I put the banker lap, and then you spend a hundred laps to beat it, and then we continue.

The young rookie disagreed with the claim that it would take him 100 laps, stating he could accomplish the challenge in fewer. “That’s not true,” Bortoleto joked. “I don’t spend a hundred laps. Only fifty!

As teams and drivers prepare for their summer break, this period may offer an opportunity for the two drivers to determine who is indeed faster in the simulator. The upcoming regulations are set to bring about a new era of racing, and these friendly exchanges between drivers serve as a reminder that even in the heat of competition, camaraderie remains a vital part of the sport.