Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds extended a tongue-in-cheek invitation to Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver criticized F1's 2026 cars as "Formula E on steroids." The Dutchman made waves during F1 testing in Bahrain, complaining about increased energy management requirements. Dodds, calling his message "naughty," offered to fetch Verstappen from Bahrain for this weekend's Jeddah E-Prix, just 1500km away.

Verstappen expressed frustration that F1 is becoming more about energy efficiency than "raw and traditionalist" racing. Formula E will introduce its Gen4 car in 2026-27, producing 800bhp with all-wheel drive. Dodds believes Verstappen would appreciate the Gen4's "instant violence" and acceleration—0-100km/h in 1.8 seconds, faster than his current F1 car. The series expects minimal lap time differences between F1 and Formula E with the new technology.

Dodds understands Verstappen's preference for uncompromised racing but sees an opportunity for Formula E. Verstappen's comments, while critical, raised awareness for the all-electric championship. The F1 driver's frustration stems from the 2026 rules balancing electric and combustion technologies. Formula E, purely electric from its inception, optimizes racing around single technology—a contrast Verstappen is finding difficult in the new F1 era.