F1 team principal says Christian Horner may have been right all along about ‘Frankenstein’ 2026 cars

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Christian Horner raised concerns about the 2026 Formula 1 cars as far back as 2022, one team principal has recalled.

The teams and drivers are already debating whether the rule changes this winter are a step in the right direction for the sport. F1 bosses wanted them to withhold judgement until a few races had been completed, but opinions are already split in testing.

Max Verstappen has led the criticism, likening the new era of F1 to ‘Formula E on steroids’. He’s unhappy with the unusual tactics he has to use to charge the battery.

Have the 2026 regulations made F1 worse, with Max Verstappen likening driving the new cars to Formula E?

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On the other side of the debate, Lando Norris and George Russell have both reminded Verstappen that he can pursue other interests if he’s no longer enjoying F1.

Christian Horner was concerned about 2026 F1 rules four years ago

The F1 Commission met on Wednesday to discuss some of the early issues with the regulations. Andrea Stella, the boss of world champions McLaren, has called for multiple changes already.

He wants drivers to be given more time to prepare on the grid, mitigating the safety risks that come with slow starts. It takes longer to prepare the new power units for launch.

The critical importance of charging the battery could also create problematic speed differentials in a qualifying scenario.

Away from safety, one of the main objectives of the rules was to improve racing. But without a change to the energy deployment rules, drivers may not have the speed advantage they need to execute a move.

Will the 2026 regulations be the end of Max Verstappen in F1?

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Back in 2022, former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner warned his colleagues that the new rulebook could create a ‘technical Frankenstein’.

“I still remember the first meeting about the new regulations around four years ago in London,” an unnamed team principal recalled to Blick. “It was mainly about sustainability.

“Suddenly, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner stood up and said: ‘Guys, listen, we’re creating a technical Frankenstein.’ I’m not so optimistic.”

Max Verstappen continues criticism of 2026 rules despite F1 boss meeting

After Verstappen’s explosive remarks last week, it was reported that F1 management contacted Red Bull to arrange a meeting.

The four-time world champion’s tone wasn’t quite as severe when he appeared in a press conference on Wednesday, but he made it clear that F1 should not go too far in the electric direction.

Verstappen has rejected the idea that increasing battery power would solve F1’s current problems. Instead, he wants the internal combustion engine to be the ‘focus’.

“I don’t want us to be close to Formula E,” said Verstappen. “I want us to actually stay away from that and be Formula 1. So don’t increase the battery. Actually, get rid of that and focus on a nice engine.”