Formula E Chief Executive Jeff Dodds has expressed his strong desire to see Max Verstappen behind the wheel of the championship’s new Gen4 car, the most powerful electric racing vehicle to date. While no formal discussions have taken place with the four-time Formula 1 champion, Dodds believes immense value would be gained from the Dutchman experiencing the cutting-edge electric racer firsthand.
Dodds confirmed that discussions with Verstappen regarding the Gen4 car have not yet occurred, highlighting the Formula 1 star’s primary focus on his newly signed long-term contract with Red Bull Racing. However, the Formula E chief emphasized that he would love to see the Dutch driver in the electric car, highly valuing the elite-level feedback and insight he could provide.
“No, we haven’t talked to him more about the car,” Dodds told RacingNews365. “I know he’s very focused, delighted to see him re-sign with Red Bull for the long term. And obviously, we know the team there really well, and I think they’re doing a really good job. But I’d still love to see Max in this car, partly because I just really value his insight. So I’d love him to drive the car to be able to give us real feedback, real insight into what he thinks of it.”
The Gen4 car features permanent all-wheel drive, delivering 450kW of race power and an impressive boost of up to 600kW in Attack Mode. This immense performance has already captured the attention of top-tier talent, with reigning champion Lando Norris inspecting the machine closely during the Monaco E-Prix. Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg also took a detailed look at the new vehicle.
Dodds also pointed out Verstappen’s expanding motorsport portfolio, referencing his investment vehicle, Verstappen Racing. “His investments are not just in him racing Formula 1 cars,” Dodds continued. “He’s also building academies, and he’s very focused on sim-to-track activity. I think there are opportunities to do things with him that could be pretty exciting.”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Looking ahead, Formula E is set to race in Verstappen’s home country for the first time in 2027, with a double-header event scheduled at Zandvoort in June. While Dodds remained tight-lipped on whether Verstappen would participate in the historic event, he expressed confidence that the cutting-edge Gen4 car will attract a wave of new drivers to the championship.
“We’re going to be overwhelmed with potential new drivers,” he stated.
Verstappen has already demonstrated his passion for motorsport beyond Formula 1, notably through his recent foray into GT racing, and has spoken positively about the Gen4 cars. While a potential crossover remains an exciting possibility for the future, for now, the focus shifts to the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
