Verstappen: F1 needs more speed, not danger

Kimi Raikkonen and Niki Lauda have both suggested in recent days that F1 would be more attractive to fans if there was an added element of risk.

But Verstappen, who escaped unhurt from a dramatic accident at the Monaco Grand Prix, insists that it is not the element of peril that is lacking.

“If you have crashes like I had in Monaco at every race that wouldn't be good,” he said. “The tracks are safer, so that is why nobody is dying at the moment.”

More downforce

Verstappen's brilliant entry in to F1 this year, aged just 17, has opened up suggestions that the current generation of cars are not hard enough to drive.

The Dutch teenage sensation insists, however, that F1 is still tough – although he would welcome a step forward in pace.

“I think there is still a challenge,” he said. “They are quite difficult to drive and the only thing I would change is a bit more downforce and a bit more noise from the engine itself!

“If you compare it to Formula Renault 3.5 or GP2, we need a bit more downforce at the moment, especially in the race.”

Button backs speed call

Jenson Button agrees with Verstappen that it is not the element of danger that needs changing – it is the car performance.

“I wouldn't use the word dangerous, as I don't think it is a necessary direction to go in,” he said. “But I think already if you are making the cars quicker through corners, it is going in the direction they mean

“There is no point making the circuits less safe. But making cars quicker through corners, as long as it is done in correct manner that it doesn't hurt the racing, will be good.

“Mechanical grip is massively important. With downforce you have to find a way to do it so doesn't affect the dirty air from the cars and make it more difficult to overtake.”