It turns out that George Lucas isn't the only one advising F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali on the direction the sport should be taking.

After revealing that the American film maker told him that new fans to the sport are loving the regulations, that "they're fascinated by the fact that there's a lot of action on the track" and "not interested in the throttle angle or the brake pressure percentage to overtake", unlike that pesky "niche" that has followed the sport for decades, Domenicali revealed that he has also been talking to Max Verstappen.

Yes, the four-time world champion, one of the first, and certainly one of the most vocal critics of the 2026 rules overhaul, has seemingly given positive feedback to the F1 boss relating to the changes being introduced over the next couple of seasons which will see the current 50/50 power split between ICE and electric, reduced to 60/40 in 2028.

"The drivers that have already driven the change of next year on the simulator, say that it's going in the right direction," Domenicali told reporters. "And also, with Max, we discussed that," he added.

"We don't have to forget that there is a governance in place that, to change regulations, teams and manufacturer need to be in agreement with the position of the FIA and us," he explained, referring to FOM.

Simulations or not, there is currently a lot of speculation surrounding the future of the Dutchman. Linked with a number of teams, due to the fact that Red Bull has clearly lost ground, his intense frustration with the 2026 regulations has seen him admit that he is questioning himself over whether to continue in the sport.

"I think Max would be very happy," says Domenicali about the forthcoming changes to the rules. "I think that Max is in a situation where he loves Formula 1, he loves the future. We are discussing together his future, and the regulations for the future. I have an incredible relationship with him.

"Formula 1 is big enough for him to be part of us," he adds, "but of course, he will decide the future the way he prefers to do, and the sport will look ahead.

"My opinion is that Max will stay with us. And I really hope so."

Of course, we all hope that Max stays, but on the face of it the Dutchman, ever the purist like Sebastian Vettel before him - would surely make up part of that "niche" Domenicali previously referred to.