Martin Brundle feels the threat made by Max Verstappen to walk away from Formula 1 over changes to race weekends is most likely an empty one.
The Dutchman's words came at the start of the Australian Grand Prix weekend. He has been critical in the past of the Sprint format which is being used at a record six races this season – the first of which is coming at the end of this month in Baku.
Not only are there more Sprints than ever before, but the format is set to change again. While it is yet to be agreed by the World Motor Sport Council, the plan is to add a second qualifying session on the Saturday morning which decides the order for the Sprint that day, while Friday qualifying will be for the main race as usual.
Giving his view, Verstappen made it clear to Portugal's Sport TV that he was not a fan. He said: "I'm happy with just the main race. I think that's way better for the excitement. I naturally, of course, hope that there won't be too many changes – otherwise I won't be around for too long."
While that appears to be a clear statement of the Dutchman's intent, Brundle is not so sure. The Sky Sports pundit won't be holding his breath waiting for Verstappen to walk away from the sport over this matter.
"I'd be surprised," he said when asked if he could see the defending champion quitting, and pointed out that there would be a queue a mile long for his seat if he did. "But if he doesn't want to drive it, there'll be a million other people who do want to drive that Red Bull.
"I think what he's trying to say is, using pleasant words, 'Don't mess around too much. Let's just evolve and massage this along. Don't keep changing the ground rules'. I get his point on that, but I don't really see why that would make him stop."
Giving his own view on the subject of the Sprint, Brundle did agree with Verstappen and does not feel further alterations are necessary. He added: "I like the format we've got now. Of course, we ended up with the qualifying system we've got and everything about Formula 1 because we've changed it in the past and finessed it and evolved.
"That's the key word – it needs evolving. I don't know why we're messing around with the Sprint concept already if I'm honest and, again, I don't see why it needs to be standalone. That's the whole purpose. Teams and the drivers love data driven certainty and the sport and the fans want to sit down and watch some uncertainty, which they certainly had in Melbourne.
"The whole purpose of the Sprint race, and it's worked on a number of occasions already, was to maybe just spice up the actual race day grid a little bit and, brilliantly, it gives us qualifying on Friday, Sprint race Saturday and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. So if you're attending a Grand Prix or you're sitting at home watching then you've got a big moment and appointment viewing all three days."
