Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
After taking the title race to the very last race of the 2025 campaign, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris look unlikely to challenge for end-of-year silverware this season, leading Franz Tost to pinpoint their main issue with the new regulations.
Last year’s 24-race calendar saw Lando Norris and Max Verstappen duke it out on track for the majority of the year, with the former capitalising on McLaren’s early consistency to earn himself a first world title in the pinnacle of single-seater motor racing.
Give us your podium prediction for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend 👇
However, the current campaign has been in stark contrast. Norris has shown signs of competitiveness from McLaren with a Sprint race victory in Miami and a couple of Grand Prix podiums to boot, but he has been nowhere near the form of his title-winning exploits.
Verstappen has been the same. A P3 in Montreal suggested Red Bull have a car that can compete for top-three finishes on its day, but being a regular contender is proving to be difficult.
According to one former F1 team principal, both drivers are being hamstrung by a certain facet of F1’s new regulations, which came into effect ahead of the current term.
- READ MORE: Lando Norris compares himself to 2025 Max Verstappen after splitting Mercedes in Canadian Sprint
Franz Tost identifies where Max Verstappen and Lando Norris cannot ‘exploit their strengths’ in 2026
In an interview with Krone, former AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) team principal Franz Tost gave his thoughts on the current campaign following the seven rounds of racing so far this year.
Despite retiring from a full-time role in the sport at the end of 2023, one foot remains in the F1 paddock as a consultant for his old parent company: Red Bull Racing.
You’re in charge of a Red Bull rival, how much would you offer Max Verstappen for 2027?
Ralf Schumacher claims Mercedes' offer is "so bad" financially
“I haven’t seen a single boring race this season,” he replied, after being asked for his analysis of 2026 ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. “Sure, there have been a lot of discussions about the new regulations. I can also understand the frustration of the top drivers.”
He was then asked what he meant regarding the frustrations of the current grid, to which he made a comparison between Verstappen and Norris’ start to the current regulation cycle in F1.
“Drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, or Fernando Alonso used to be able to exploit their strengths under braking,” he replied, before adding, “But if you have to lift off the throttle 10 or 20 meters before the braking point to recharge, that advantage is lost.”
Finally, Tost also noted his satisfaction with the amendments that the FIA have made to the sporting regulations, finishing with, “The development is heading in a very positive direction.
“There are many overtaking manoeuvres, which are exactly what the spectators want to see, in my opinion. Whether the battery is full or empty is of no concern to most fans.”
Due to the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix being Red Bull’s home race, the Milton Keynes-based outfit is planning to bring a sizeable upgrade in hopes of seeing Verstappen claim a podium finish.
The Red Bull Ring is regarded as one of the Dutchman’s most successful circuits, having won in Spielberg four times previously and taken a podium finish on two further occasions.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
