News
Verstappen Compares New Cars to High-Powered Formula E Vehicles
Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has expressed that the newly introduced Formula 1 cars for this year’s season are lacking in enjoyment.
Max Verstappen has expressed his concerns about the new F1 cars, stating that the emphasis on energy management is detracting from the driving experience, making it less enjoyable.
The four-time world champion believes the current cars are too focused on energy efficiency, likening them to "Formula E on steroids," which is not what he expects from a Formula 1 vehicle.
Verstappen, who drives for Red Bull, feels that the increased importance of energy management with the new hybrid engines is altering the nature of the sport, making it less authentic.
The new engines are designed to be more energy-efficient, but this has resulted in a lack of power, requiring drivers to employ various strategies to recover energy and maintain optimal performance.
As a result, drivers are adopting unconventional techniques, such as delaying acceleration out of the final corner before a qualifying lap, lifting and coasting to conserve energy, and downshifting to harvest energy in corners.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin is reportedly struggling to keep up with the top teams, with a significant gap in performance.
Verstappen acknowledges the significant effort that has gone into developing the new engines, but as a driver, he finds the current state of the sport unsatisfying, with too much emphasis on management rather than pure driving.
He feels that the driving experience has become more akin to Formula E, where energy efficiency is paramount, rather than the traditional Formula 1 style.
Verstappen longs for the freedom to drive flat out, without the need to constantly manage energy levels, which is currently not possible.
The driver's inputs have a significant impact on the car's energy levels, making it a complex and nuanced task to manage performance.
Verstappen believes that this approach is not in line with the traditional values of Formula 1, where driving skill and speed should be the primary focus.
While he acknowledges that top drivers will adapt to the new requirements, he feels that the sport is becoming less pure and more focused on strategy than driving ability.
Verstappen yearns for a return to a more straightforward driving experience, where the focus is on speed and skill rather than intricate energy management.
The all-electric Formula E series has become synonymous with heavy energy management, but Verstappen's point is that Formula 1 should not be heading in the same direction.
Although F1 cars do not face the same challenges as Formula E in terms of energy depletion, Verstappen argues that the lack of power and emphasis on energy recovery is altering the nature of the sport.
Red Bull's new car and engine have shown promise in pre-season testing, but Verstappen's comments highlight the need for a reevaluation of the sport's direction.
Senior figures in F1 have cautioned against drawing conclusions about the new rules too quickly, given the significant changes that have been introduced.
The 2026 season has seen the most extensive regulation changes in F1 history, with new rules for chassis, engines, tires, and the introduction of sustainable fuels.
The new engines boast a nearly 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical components, with three times the electrical power of their predecessors, despite having a similarly sized battery.
Alternative approaches to the rules could have been taken to reduce the emphasis on energy management, such as limiting the power of the hybrid element or allowing energy recovery from the front axle.
The new chassis features a straight-line mode, which reduces drag from the front and rear wings to aid energy recovery, while the narrower tires and smaller, lighter cars are designed to improve efficiency.
The cars can recover energy in four distinct ways, including running the engine at high revs in corners, lifting off early and coasting, and using the electrical motor against the engine at full throttle.
One method of energy recovery involves running the engine at high revs in corners to generate power.
Another approach is to lift off early and coast at the end of straights to conserve energy.
The electrical motor can also be used against the engine at 100% throttle to recover energy.
Verstappen is considering competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours in a GT car, which would allow him to drive flat out without the constraints of energy management.
Verstappen expressed his desire to participate in the event, stating that it would be an opportunity to drive without worrying about energy levels, but he has not yet confirmed his participation.
The 2026 F1 cars have been on display at Bahrain testing, showcasing their new features and designs.
The sport has introduced new terminology, including active aero and overtake mode, which reflect the changes in the cars and the way they are driven.
Cadillac has unveiled a split livery in a Super Bowl advert, generating interest and excitement among fans.
Russell has expressed his desire to compete directly with Verstappen, highlighting the intense rivalry and competition in the sport.
The Barcelona "shakedown" has provided an early glimpse into the 2026 F1 season, with teams and drivers getting their first taste of the new cars and regulations.
The 2026 season promises to be an exciting and unpredictable one, with the biggest rule change in F1 history and the emergence of new talent, including a British teenager.
Entertainment And Arts
Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s $2 Million Crowdfunding Campaign
The relatives of the deceased actor, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, have expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the $2m fund.
A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.
Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.
A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.
The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.
It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.
Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.
At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.
In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.

He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.
The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.
News
Zimbabwe Shocks Australia with Muzarabani’s Exceptional Performance
Zimbabwe secured a stunning 23-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup, with Blessing Muzarabani playing a key role by taking 4-17.
In the current T20 world rankings, Zimbabwe occupies the 12th position.
The Men's T20 World Cup is underway in Group B at Colombo.
Zimbabwe's innings concluded at 169-2 after 20 overs, with Bennett scoring an unbeaten 64 off 56 deliveries, while Green claimed 1-6.
Australia's reply ended at 146 after 19.3 overs, as Renshaw top-scored with 65 off 44 balls, and Muzarabani took 4-17.
The match resulted in a 23-run victory for Zimbabwe.
A standout performance from Blessing Muzarabani, who took 4-17, helped Zimbabwe secure a thrilling 23-run win over Australia in the T20 World Cup.
After being set a target of 170, Australia found themselves in trouble at 29-4, but a 77-run partnership between Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell for the fifth wicket gave them hope.
With 34 runs needed from the last two overs, Renshaw's dismissal for 65, caught off Muzarabani with eight balls remaining, essentially sealed the game's outcome.
The result has left Group B finely balanced after two matches each, with Australia trailing Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka by two points, ahead of their meeting with Sri Lanka on Monday.
Initially, Zimbabwe's approach to batting first at the R. Premadasa Stadium appeared overly cautious.
Brian Bennett's innings of 64 not out from 56 balls, including seven fours, was played at a strike rate of 114.28, as he anchored the Zimbabwean batting.
In contrast, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl adopted a more aggressive approach, scoring 35 off 21 and 30 balls, respectively.
A late surge from Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, who scored 25 off 13 balls, including the team's only six on the final ball, provided a boost to their total.
Australia's target seemed achievable, given their total of 182-6 in their previous win against Ireland.
However, the Australian batting line-up was severely dented by the loss of key wickets, including Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Tim David, courtesy of Muzarabani and Brad Evans.
A partnership between Renshaw and Maxwell offered some respite, but when Maxwell fell for 31, dragged on to Burl, the pressure mounted on Australia.
Muzarabani's return to bowl the penultimate over proved decisive, as he removed Renshaw, and Zimbabwe subsequently wrapped up the win.
There are calls for the ICC to review the rules regarding 12th men.
For more information, including notifications and social media updates, visit BBC Sport.
A blogger who participates in the FPL is also competing in the T20 World Cup.
News
FA Cup Finalists Outside the Big Six Since 2008
As the FA Cup resumes this weekend, assess your understanding of past finalists that have competed from beyond the Premier League’s top six clubs.
This weekend, the FA Cup resumes with 32 teams remaining in contention for the historic trophy, which has been awarded for 155 years and will be presented to the winner in May.
Historically, the Premier League's top six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham – have dominated the FA Cup, claiming 32 titles out of the last 37.
However, in recent years, teams outside of this elite group have experienced some notable victories in the competition.
Since 2008, 10 teams from outside the traditional 'big six' have advanced to the FA Cup final – can you identify all of them?
For more quizzes, visit our Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes sections, where you can also subscribe to receive the latest quizzes directly on your device.
We have a quiz question tailored to each Premier League team – test your knowledge and see how you score.
Can you recall every team that has won the Women's Champions League?
Which players have made the most appearances in the Premier League – can you name them all?
Explore our Sports Quizzes page for a wide range of challenging and engaging quizzes.
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