Formula E Boss Sends 'Naughty' Jeddah Invite to Verstappen After F1 2026 Criticism

Max Verstappen’s Criticism of F1 2026 Cars and the Formula E Invitation

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has extended an invitation to Max Verstappen for this weekend’s Jeddah E-Prix, following the Red Bull driver’s recent remarks about the 2026 Formula 1 cars. Verstappen described the new generation of grand prix machinery as “Formula E on steroids,” which sparked a debate among motorsport fans and professionals alike.

During the second day of F1 testing in Bahrain, Verstappen expressed concerns about the increased reliance on energy management in the upcoming cars. He explained that as a driver, much of his input directly affects the energy side of the car. “For me, that's just not Formula 1. Maybe it's better to drive Formula E, right? Because that's all about energy, efficiency and management,” he said.

This comment was interpreted by some as dismissive of Formula E, where drivers must carefully manage energy usage and use lift-and-coast techniques to recharge their car’s battery. However, Dodds acknowledged that Verstappen is someone who appreciates “raw and traditionalist motorsport.”

A Tongue-in-Cheek Invitation

Dodds revealed that he sent a light-hearted text message to Verstappen, suggesting he could experience Formula E firsthand at the Jeddah E-Prix. The event will host rounds four and five of the 2025/26 season, just 1500km from Bahrain. “I dropped Max a message yesterday to basically say, ‘you're in Bahrain, I'm in Jeddah, if you fancy coming here instead, I'll come and get you.’ So I was being naughty when I messaged him,” Dodds shared.

He added that many Formula E drivers and team principals have welcomed the opportunity to showcase their championship. “A lot of them are saying to me that it's great that he even references Formula E, because it's great for awareness. I think it's a good opportunity for us to show people what we're made of, and where we're going.”

What to Expect at the Jeddah E-Prix

The race promises intense competition, with close combat and potentially 150 overtakes. “If more people from his comments think, oh go and have a look [at Formula E], [that is] great for me,” Dodds said.

Gen4 Cars: A Game-Changer

Formula E is set to introduce new technical regulations in the 2026-27 season with the Gen4 car, capable of producing 800bhp and featuring an all-wheel drive system. The championship expects a “very small” performance gap between F1 and Formula E when the Gen4 car makes its debut later this year.

Dodds believes Verstappen would enjoy the speed and acceleration of the Gen4 challenger. “If Max got in the Gen4 car, I think he'd love it. 600 kilowatts of raw power, permanent all-wheel drive, 70% more power than the current car, lap times that won't be much different to a Formula 1 car in the new era, instant torque, so instant violence, put your foot down, you're at 100 kilometres in 1.8 seconds, much faster than his current Formula 1 car, much faster than a GT3 car, I actually think he'd love it.”

The Philosophy Behind F1’s 2026 Rules

Dodds believes Verstappen’s frustration stems from the fundamental philosophy behind F1’s 2026 rules, which significantly increase the electrical contribution of the power unit while retaining the internal combustion engine. Under the new regulations, electrical power will account for roughly half of the total output, marking the biggest power unit overhaul in more than a decade.

“What he said is not a surprise to me. I'm paraphrasing Max now, he may disagree, but if I boil it down, what he's really saying is that he feels compromised in the car,” Dodds explained. “He feels like it's no longer foot-down, raw, flat-out racing. He feels like it's a different racing style because there's a compromise of technologies in the car, and he's not enjoying that as much. So far. He may learn to love it, time will tell.”

Balancing Two Technologies

In Formula 1, drivers have always had to preserve something—whether it was tyres, fuel, or strategy. The 2026 cars introduce a different kind of strategy, focusing on energy preservation. “But [in 2026], I would say that it's a pulling together of two technologies, and then they're trying to make that work a bit.”

Dodds also highlighted the challenge of balancing electric technology with the legacy of Formula 1. “Of course, you have to have new electric technology, because that's the way the world is moving, but equally, they want to retain the combustion engine, to retain the sound and the legacy and the history and the nature of the driving style.”

Conclusion

While Formula E has only ever been electric, the focus is on optimizing the racing format around one single technology. “I think Max is finding that quite difficult in this Formula 1 car, because it's a compromise of two technologies.” However, Dodds acknowledges the difficulty for F1 in finding the right balance between innovation and tradition.