Verstappen makes gloomy prediction about 2019 F1 rule change

Max Verstappen has predicted that the aerodynamic changes to 2019's cars in Formula 1 will only serve to make the cars "uglier". F1 has changed the rules regarding front wings for next season, with the stated aim of improving on-track overtaking.

According to Verstappen, next year's cars will not lose downforce as a result of the change, which suggests that cars will still struggle to get onto the back of rivals.

Prototypes for next year's parts have already been seen in mid-season testing, with many of the fins and grooves removed.

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Verstappen says he would rather have a car capable of overtaking than one that is quicker than any before it, but is unsure of 2019's changes will have the desired effect.

He said: "It might help a little bit, but what I'm already reading is that next year we'll have about the same downforce as this year, so I think that the benefit will be limited.

"It only looks somewhat uglier, but maybe the design will be refined before the next season.

"I do not necessarily need to break lap records. Of course it's nice if a car corners very fast, but if you cannot catch one another, it's not really a nice race.

"I think you need a bit of a balance between the two. However, it is also not nice to drive a car that has no grip at all.

"If I compare this year's car to the cars of 2015 and 2016 then of course, it's a thousand times better now. It was always sliding and blocking, still fast, but not a nice feeling to drive."

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