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Max Verstappen has rocked the world of Formula 1 by calling the 2026 regulations ‘anti-racing’. The comments raise serious doubts over Verstappen’s future and the sport’s overall direction.
While Verstappen likes the proportions of the new cars, he is already fed up with the new energy management regime. The drivers are having to use unnatural techniques to charge up the battery.
Verstappen likened it to ‘Formula E on steroids’ and said the new power units had taken the ‘fun’ out of driving. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton also has concerns about the 2026 cars.
Have the 2026 regulations made F1 worse, with Max Verstappen likening driving the new cars to Formula E?
However, reigning world champion Lando Norris gave a more positive review, even suggesting that Verstappen should retire if he is no longer enjoying the sport.
Red Bull contacted by F1 leadership after Max Verstappen outburst
Predictably, Verstappen’s Thursday interviews ’caused a stir internally’ at Formula One Management, according to Sport Bild.
An F1 press officer contacted Red Bull and ‘immediately sought a meeting with Verstappen’. The four-time world champion was aware that some may be upset over his remarks, and it’s fair to say that ‘no one was thrilled’.
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The BBC have spoken to ‘senior figures’ in the sport, who say that drivers shouldn’t ‘jump to conclusions’ so early in the new era.
Indeed, as reported by Auto Motor und Sport, team officials had asked the drivers to ‘wait a few races’ before giving their verdict. Verstappen seems to have made his mind up already.
Max Verstappen has already told Red Bull how to keep him ‘happy’
Verstappen has already started to explore other racing interests outside of F1. He even competed at the Nurburgring last year.
He made clear in the Bahrain paddock that winning races alone won’t convince him to stay in F1; he needs to enjoy being in the cockpit.
“Once you have achieved everything that you wanted to achieve in Formula 1, you also have a bit more freedom to look into other things,” Verstappen said in his recent Viaplay documentary, New Ground. “I’m passionate about racing, I like to drive all different kinds of cars.
“I talked to Red Bull about it and my ideas and plans. I think they were very open about it. At the end of the day, you want a happy driver and not a frustrated driver, and those things keep me happy.”
That outlet will be even more important this year, even if it solidifies Verstappen’s desire to retire early. Laurent Mekies faces a difficult balancing act in that sense.
Don’t expect the Dutchman to struggle this year just because he’s not entirely uncomfortable. On the contrary, Verstappen is already perfecting the techniques required to optimise the 2026 machinery.
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