Four-time world champion, Max Verstappen, echoes the sentiments of many older F1 fans as he calls for the return of V10s or V8s.

Although almost all the drivers have been critical of this year's rules - to varying extent - Max Verstappen has been among the most vocal, indeed such is his unhappiness at present he has talked about quitting the sport.

According to De Telegraaf, though he is hopeful that the ongoing discussions will bring about some positive changes at the coming races, he insists that there is a fundamental issue with the current regulations.

"The fact that we are talking is already progress," he said. "The problem is just that while you can adjust these regulations a little, fundamentally something is wrong.

"Not everyone will admit that publicly," he added, "but it is true. I'm just trying to adjust it.

"Even if I quit in a few years, I want it to remain a decent sport," said the four-time world champion.

While that last comment flies in the face of speculation over his future, the Dutchman, known for his outspokenness, had a follow-up.

"I want the V10 or V8 engines to come back!" he laughed, ever the racer, ever the purist.

Asked about the news that his long-standing engineer - and friend - Gianpiero Lambiase is heading to McLaren, he said: "He told me what kind of offer he received. I said: 'You would be stupid not to do that. We have already achieved everything together'.

"And then he gets such a great offer, also with his family in mind and the security it would give him. He asked me for a sort of permission and I said that he absolutely had to do it. He really wanted to hear that from me."

Away from F1, this weekend Verstappen returns to the Nurburgring, not the track on which McLaren and Mercedes were testing earlier this week, but the mighty 12.9-mile Nordschleife, where he will be taking part in the ADAC 24h qualifiers in preparation for next month's 24-hour race.

"I'm aware that I can have a bad crash there, but I'm not afraid, I like it, actually," he told ESPN. "I really enjoy driving there, it gives me a smile on my face. Every time I jump out of the car, I'm happy. That's also what I'm after, to be honest, to have fun. I know it's a dangerous track, but I'm happy to take that risk."

Minded of Jackie Stewart's claim that "anyone who says they liked the original circuit is either telling a fib or they didn't go fast enough", Verstappen admits: "I agree from an F1 point of view, and especially in the 60s and 70s, but the track has changed a lot, I would say, compared to then. So, it's a bit different.

"Now, I think it's fine. Yeah, I mean, you can crash anywhere. It's dangerous in a lot of different circuits. I mean, Suzuka is dangerous as well. It just depends how you look at it."

Referring to this weekend's qualifiers, both of which are four-hour races, he said: "I need a little bit more experience in general. I would like to maybe drive towards the night or close to the night. Just to have an idea.

"I'm not worried about it," he insisted. "I just want to do it. The only opportunity for that, I think, is in one of the qualifier races. So, I need to have a look at that. The rest is all just procedures with the team, that we are all well aligned with that. And then just fine-tuning the setup even further.

"Also, at the Nordschleife the weather can be different in one part to the other part of the track. Stuff like that can happen there."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by KKK, 4 hours ago

"I think 4 billion people all wish the same. The latest power trains sound like ducks farting, Car manufacturers should think twice about electrification, Im not convinced its the right way"

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2. Posted by Anthony, 9 hours ago

"I know that not everyone appreciates Max’s Dutch (i.e. direct) approach but I think that his honesty is great and it is wonderful that such a successful driver is prepared to speak out about the current problems. "

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"I hope V10 or V8 engines come back," says Verstappen

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