Formula E is turning up the heat with its upcoming Gen4 car, and even one of motorsport's biggest skeptics is starting to take notice. Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion known for his no-nonsense approach, has reportedly given the new machine a thumbs-up—marking a surprising shift in his stance on electric racing.
For years, Verstappen has been the face of old-school, petrol-powered racing. His famous jab that F1's 2026 regulations would turn the sport into "Formula E on steroids" was seen as a clear dig at the all-electric series. But times are changing, and so might the Dutchman's opinion.
The Gen4 car, unveiled at Circuit Paul Ricard late last month, is a beast of a machine. Packing a staggering 800bhp powertrain with permanent all-wheel drive and an active differential, it's expected to shave a full 10 seconds off lap times. That could make Formula E the second-fastest open-wheel series in the world, trailing only F1 itself.
So, how did Verstappen react? According to his friend and Jaguar driver Antonio Felix da Costa, the Red Bull star sent a text message that was short but sweet. "He liked it," da Costa told Motorsport.com. "He was very critical of the Gen3, but he was happy with the Gen4."
When asked if Verstappen might be tempted to hop behind the wheel himself—following a cheeky invitation from Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds back in February—da Costa played it cool. "You have to ask him," he said with a grin.
Formula E's chief commercial officer, Alberto Longo, welcomed the positive feedback. "He spoke with one of the drivers, Antonio Felix da Costa, and literally said something like, 'it's cool.' We'll take that," Longo told Motorsport.com.
The Gen4 car is set to debut in the 2026/27 season, which is expected to kick off in December and feature up to 19 races. Manufacturers are already hard at work building and testing their new powertrains, with some current drivers getting an early taste of the package in Europe.
Da Costa, who clinched the 2019/20 Formula E title with DS Penske, described the Gen4 as a "massive step" forward for the series. For fans and drivers alike, it looks like Formula E is gearing up for its most exciting chapter yet.