Max Verstappen has already explained why Lewis Hamilton is wrong about the 2026 F1 regulations

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Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are on two very different ends of the spectrum when it comes to views on the 2026 F1 regulations.

The irony of it all is that Hamilton was actually on Verstappen’s side in pre-season testing. He referred to the new ruleset as like GP2 cars and was not entirely convinced by them, like many drivers on the grid.

However, after getting to grips with the SF-26, which he helped develop, the seven-time champion has changed his views dramatically. Ferrari have a competitive package that suits his driving style, leaving Hamilton with a ‘spring in his step’ in the paddock.

He achieved his first podium for Ferrari in China, and fans are backing Hamilton to win in Japan. There is not so much positivity around Verstappen and Red Bull, however, who are struggling to adapt to the new regulations.

The Dutchman has always been vocal about his disdain for the rule changes and has only been getting more critical by the day. Verstappen ‘badmouthed’ the regulations in China, calling them a ‘joke’ and ‘not racing’, which has now been criticised by Hamilton.

The Brit has spoken well about the 2026 regulations and how the increased overtakes with battery management make for exciting viewing. But he is a lone wolf with this opinion.

F1’s artificial overtakes in 2026 prove Max Verstappen right over Lewis Hamilton on new regulations

Speaking in the media pen at the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton described the new rules as ‘real racing’ when he was asked about the increased overtakes in 2026.

He said: “It happens in karting all the time, back and forth, back and forth. No one ever calls it yo-yo racing. It’s real racing. So whoever’s coming out with that is… yeah.”

‘Yo-yo’ racing is exactly what Verstappen called the rules after the Chinese GP, via The New York Times. In pre-season testing, he described them as ‘anti-racing’ and ‘not a lot of fun’, before launching further attacks in Shanghai.

Who do you agree with more about the 2026 regulations – Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen?

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“If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is about. It’s not fun at all. It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing. You are boosting past, then you run out of battery the next straight, they boost past you again. For me, it’s just a joke.”

Overtaking in 2026, while entertaining, given the amount of changes up and down the grid, has its value taken away when energy management is involved. It is mostly not done on merit, but rather when drivers have to preserve the battery down straights and into corners.

Hamilton is wrong with his take on the regulations. Racing should be down to drivers battling it out and fighting on track on pure talent and the car’s peak performance, not artificial overtaking that is almost entirely down to energy management.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Not everyone agrees with Max Verstappen’s criticism of 2026 regulations

Verstappen is not likely to let up on his criticism of the 2026 regulations, but not everyone agrees with the Red Bull driver.

Alex Wurz told Verstappen to ‘get used to it’, as the FIA is not expected to make drastic changes to the regulations. Many drivers and teams have expressed concern about the rules, but nothing major is set to arrive until 2027.

Likewise, Johnny Herbert says Verstappen should ‘shut up and drive’. Red Bull will continue to develop the RB22 throughout the season, but the 28-year-old has openly expressed that he is not comfortable with how to drive the new car.

Gian Carlo Minardi has told Verstappen he is in the ‘same boat’ as Hamilton was in 2025. The Brit struggled to adapt to Ferrari’s car last year, and now his former title rival is facing the same trouble at Red Bull in 2026.