Formula E CEO reveals what would surprise Max Verstappen if he drove one of their cars

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After Max Verstappen’s recent comments about the new regulations, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds gave his verdict on the four-time world champion driving one of their cars.

Verstappen took a dig at Formula E when criticising the new regulations prior to the start of the season. Of course, his tune may have changed after seeing the recent changes to the regulations.

In a recent interview, Dodds confirmed that he heard the dig, and sent some ‘cheeky’ messages to Verstappen in response.

Have the 2026 regulations made F1 worse, with Max Verstappen likening driving the new cars to Formula E?

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While Dodds doesn’t seem to hold a grudge against Verstappen for his comments, presumably because other Formula E officials have questioned the new regulations, he did have an interesting proposal for him.

Dodds wants to see Max Verstappen privately test one of their cars, as he and other officials would love the feedback of the man he called a ‘generational talent.’

READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s push to change 2027 engine rules could spell disaster for all drivers going forward

Formula E CEO invites Max Verstappen to test Formula E cars and be ‘surprised’

In an interview with Racing News 365, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds spoke about the comments from Max Verstappen a few months ago, likening the new F1 regulations to Formula E.

While he joked about sending Max a response, he earnestly invited Verstappen to try out their cars, as he would be surprised in the speed and the massive difference in the style of driving.

“I sent my cheeky messages to Max after his comments in preseason texting. But if Max were to jump in these cars, Max will have never driven anything like this. Max wouldn’t have driven anything that can accelerate 30% faster than his Formula 1 car, with permanent all-wheel drive.

“Because it’s electric, there is no gear change, so it’s straight line power application. It would be pretty exciting for us just to hear privately his feedback of driving something to see what the sensation is like for what is a generational talent.

“It is interesting, the crossover. I think maybe even 10 of our Formula E drivers are in some way, shape or form, working with Formula 1 teams, whether it’s sim work, dev driving, advisory capacity on how to drive electric cars…”

“Them talking about electric, whether it’s difficult for us to drive electric cars, clipping is difficult, it’s a different style of racing, all that’s doing for us is bringing more people to look at our championship to understand how it works and what is going on there…”

Perhaps there will be more relief in the Red Bull camp, given that F1 are giving into Max Verstappen’s demands heading into the coming seasons. But this pivot is something that concerns Dodds.

READ MORE: Toto Wolff admits Red Bull’s ‘giant leap forward’ with Max Verstappen in Miami was a ‘big surprise’

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Formula E CEO raises ‘questions’ about F1 officials ‘going back’ on regulations amid pushback

Speaking further in the interview, Dodds questioned why Formula 1 would move away from hybridisation so quickly, especially given that the general approach to motor vehicles is going in that direction.

“The challenge Formula 1 have is – I know the president of the FIA made some statements about this reversion to V8s from 2030-31. I think what that does is certainly satisfies the historic Formula 1 fans, because all of a sudden, they go back to a technology that they know, trust, and love.

“It’s delivered good racing in the past. That’s great. But that’s at a time by 2030, when I suspect there will be 40-50 million electric vehicles sold that year.

“For me, the question is moving back to a combustion technology at a point where the world has tipped in favour of domestic road cars and electric mobility.

“We know there are manufacturers in Formula 1 that were very outspoken about not moving back to combustion when it was floated a couple of years ago because of the road relevance of the technology and the importance to them that they’re able to develop road technology through the championships.

“We know it will deliver exciting racing, and it will delight the legacy fans of Formula 1. On the other hand, there’s a question for me over relevance through that reg cycle, then of having a technology that is no longer the preeminent technology in road cars. It’s going to be a fascinating time.”

So far, there hasn’t been any talk of moving away from electric power entirely. In fact, F1 teams are set to keep battery power in the 2031 regulations.

And with Verstappen’s eagerness for racing returning after changes were made to the new regulations, it’s unlikely that Formula 1 officials will push for a more drastic change.