MAY 18, 2015

Verstappen welcomes Strategy Group decisions

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen has backed the decisions taken last week by the Strategy Group.

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen has backed the decisions taken last week by the Strategy Group.

Comprised of the top teams, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA, the decision-making body last week responded to calls for change by announcing a raft of proposals to make the cars faster and louder and the races more spectacular.

"This is what F1 needs," said former Benetton and Minardi driver Verstappen, whose 17-year-old son is the impressive Toro Rosso driver Max.

"It will benefit the show."

Among the proposed changes are the return of in-race refuelling, and the freedom for teams to freely choose the two tyre compounds they take to each race.

"I'm happy with it," Toro Rosso rookie Max Verstappen also told De Telegraaf newspaper.

"These changes will give the teams more opportunities to make a difference. Strategy will be even more important.

"As a driver, at the moment you have to be saving so much during the race with efficient driving, so it will become more 'real racing' again," he added.

Father Jos agrees: "The fuel and the free choice of tyres will absolutely make the races more exciting.

"Now, you only have to think about tyre stops, but there will be much more to it (in the future).

"The teams will have much more influence as there are more variables, increasing the probability of errors and therefore the likelihood of surprises and a better spectacle," Verstappen added.

(GMM)