Mansell says he has "total sympathy' with Verstappen on current F1

LONDON, April 14 : Nigel Mansell said he had "total sympathy" with Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen in slamming Formula One's new rules era but expected the governing FIA to make changes to get back to "proper racing".

Red Bull's Verstappen has been outspoken against the sacrifice of flat-out speed for energy management, calling the situation "fundamentally flawed" while McLaren's world champion Lando Norris has branded the racing "artificial".

Mansell, the 1992 world champion with Williams who was nicknamed "Il Leone" by Ferrari fans for his raw speed and big-hearted bravery, told Reuters on Tuesday that he recognised their frustrations.

"I've got to echo and support the drivers 100 per cent," he said at an appearance to publicise a Pop-Up Hotel, complete with pool and palm trees, for his home British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July.

"It's very disappointing to have the stallion of all racing cars, Formula One, appearing in the first races that they're not actually racing at times. That's very alien to the fans, certainly alien to a race car driver who's trying to input their special skills into it.

"And I have total sympathy with Max. Would I have voiced it as strong as he has? Perhaps not...but you know, what Lando says is perfect.  What all the others have said is true. And I think the powers that be, they're listening."

SERIES OF TECHNICAL MEETINGS BEFORE NEXT RACE

 Formula One's governing body held an initial meeting of technical experts last Thursday to discuss possible changes to the regulations after the first three races, with several more sessions to come before the next race in Miami on May 3.

The new power units, split roughly 50-50 between electric and combustion power, have brought new