Fans declare ‘this isn’t F1’ after seeing Max Verstappen lose 31mph from super clipping at Suzuka

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Formula 1 fans have shared their dismay over the new technical regulations after seeing onboard footage of Max Verstappen super clipping during FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman lost around 50kph (31mph) of speed as he drove through the iconic 130R corner of the Suzuka circuit in FP1 on Friday, despite telemetry data showing that his foot was flat to the floor for the entirety of the sequence.

The loss of power is known as super clipping, and it’s been one of the key buzzwords flying around the F1 paddock in light of the new regulations. The 2026 F1 engines are a 50/50 split between electrical and thermal power, meaning there is even more emphasis on the MGU-K.

Verstappen has been the most vocal critic of F1’s new ruleset since the beginning of pre-season testing last month, and fans have defended the four-time world champion’s perspective after seeing the stark amount of deceleration he was met with during a flying lap around Suzuka.

• READ MORE: Juan Pablo Montoya claims Max Verstappen is ‘already’ talking to Mercedes no matter what Red Bull do

Fans react to onboard footage of Max Verstappen super clipping at the Japanese Grand Prix

After a clip of Verstappen’s stark loss of power at Suzuka made the rounds on social media, the overwhelming sentiment from F1 fans was one of pure dismay.

One fan commented on Reddit, “Going from 324kph to 270kph while at full throttle, this isn’t F1. Something needs to be done asap to fix this because it’ll do more harm than good.”

Their post received many responses in agreement, with one Redditor commenting, “I agree, F1 is becoming a bit of a joke this season. They are going to lose lots of fans if it continues like this.”

Other fans speculated on how obvious the issue is at circuits that demand for even more power due to their longer straights, with one posting, “I can’t wait until the day we get to Baku, and these cars bleed 80-90 kph on that long straight.”

Another sees the Italian Grand Prix as a track that will pose some problems. They wrote, “Awful that, F1 needs to find a fix and fast, Monza is going to be a disaster.”

Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?

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A long-time F1 fan also shared their annoyance with the new way of racing, commenting, “Been watching F1 since before Mansell, Piquet, Villeneuve and the best drivers pushed right up to the limit of grip, right on the edge of control. That was the best drivers driving the a– off the car. This isn’t any of that.”

One final fan offered a short but damning verdict on the matter with, “This is so bad. Sad to see.”

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen showed why he should not be compared to Ayrton Senna with Japanese GP journalist saga

F1’s new regulations are threatening some of the sport’s most iconic corners

Turn 15 at Suzuka isn’t the only iconic corner on the F1 calendar that has been affected by the new ruleset in the eyes of avid fans.

Following the season-opener in Melbourne, F1 fans shared their fury with super clipping in the entry into the turn nine and ten chicane at Albert Park.

Well-known for its status as one of the best places to witness the sheer power and downforce of an F1 car, fans believe the chicane has now been ruined.

Lando Norris has also theorised on turns 10 and 11, also known as Pouhon, at the Belgian Grand Prix being affected by the new engine formula.

Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, he told journalists via ESPN, “You’re not going to go into Pouhon now and see who has the biggest balls.

“You’re just going to see who can lift at the correct point and use the amount of throttle that you have to use, that doesn’t use the power, that doesn’t use the battery and those kinds of things.”