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Max Verstappen could face further ‘pain’ at the Japanese Grand Prix after a poor start to 2026.
The start of the 2026 Formula 1 season has been very difficult for Max Verstappen, as it is the first season since 2018 that he has not featured on the podium in either of the opening two races.
After crashing in Qualifying in Australia, Verstappen fought his way through the field and finished in sixth place, before failing to finish in China due to a coolant leak.
Now Formula 1 heads to Suzuka, a track where Verstappen has won across the last four seasons, but he has been warned that the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix may not be as successful as previous years.
Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?
Chris Medland predicts a ‘problematic’ Japanese Grand Prix for Verstappen
During Off The Ball’s F1 Pod, Chris Medland discussed Verstappen’s difficult start to the 2026 season and the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
He believes that Verstappen will be ‘nowhere near’ his previous performances at the Japanese Grand Prix, which may not help him psychologically.
Medland said, “I actually think it could work in reverse psychology-wise, and be even more painful for Max, actually.
“I hate to say it, but this is a track with demands on the power unit and the energy and the harvesting, but also on the lower downforce that F1 now has. Certain corners and sections will not be quite as exciting as they used to be for drivers. In a race, they will be ok, but in Qualifying, it will be another one where people watch it and go, ‘Man, look at last year compared to this year, it’s a big change.’
“And, when that happens, I think people need to remember it is the first year of regulations, fast forward 12 months, and the improvement rate will be huge. It is always so grating to see us go from really well-developed cars to brand new ones, and the step back we take under that scenario.
“I think Max then getting another reminder of last year when the Red Bull was not a good car that he could make enough of a difference to go and put it on pole and win that race. And, hold off two quicker McLarens’, they shadowed him the whole way home but could not get past.
“I think the fact that he will almost certainly be nowhere near that level because the car won’t let him be, might again be a kick in the gut, when he then reacts not brilliantly, because it is one of his favourite tracks. I think it will be more those positive memories being so contrasting to what he is experiencing could be more problematic than anything.”
Max Verstappen says he’s swapped the simulator for Mario Kart… 🎮
But the real question is: which track is he grinding laps on? 👀
Max Verstappen’s 2026 complaints go back to 2023
When the 2026 Formula 1 regulations were revealed in 2026, Verstappen was immediately vocal about these regulations and how he believed they would not benefit the sport.
Back in 2023, Verstappen said, “I have seen the data on the simulator, and to me it looks pretty terrible… whoever has the strongest engine will have a big benefit.”
Former Formula 1 driver, Christian Danner, has also backed Verstappen, as he believes his opinions on the new regulations are ‘justified’.
Danner said, “Max Verstappen’s criticism of these rules is quite justified… He’s been complaining about the same things since 2023, namely that the whole thing has nothing to do with racing.”
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