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Max Verstappen has brutally slammed the 2026 Formula 1 regulations in the aftermath of the Chinese Grand Prix, but Nelson Piquet Jr thinks things would be different if he were at Mercedes.
The Dutchman has been critical of the rule changes since they were first introduced. After pre-season testing, he described them as like ‘Formula E on steroids’, and his comments have only got more intense after the first two rounds.
Verstappen finished sixth in Australia before retiring in China with an ERS issue. Red Bull are struggling to compete with Mercedes at the front, who have secured 1-2 finishes in both races.
Is Toto Wolff planting the seeds for poaching Max Verstappen from Red Bull? 🤔
The four-time champion was over 50 seconds off the winner in Melbourne, while Isack Hadjar, who finished eighth in Shanghai, was nearly a minute and a half behind Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen launched a scathing attack on the regulations after the race.
Liberty Media’s press officer looked nervous as Verstappen ‘badmouthed’ the regulations. He is not able to challenge the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari, who are pulling away from the rest of the field.
Nelson Piquet Jr reckons Max Verstappen would be ‘quiet as a mouse’ about 2026 regulations if he drove for Mercedes
Verstappen has never been a fan of the new regulations, but Piquet Jr, who is the brother of the Red Bull driver’s partner Kelly, thinks he would feel much better about them if he were in the W17.
Discussing the Dutchman’s comments, the Brazilian said via Pelas Pistas: “But that’s Max for you. Max wants to have the best car, right?
“If you ask Max, which one was more interesting? The year you won the championship in the final race, or the one you won with five races to spare?
“No, the one with five races to spare. He wants every single race, doesn’t he? So, yeah, it’s natural for him to speak ill of it.
“If he were in the Mercedes car, he’d be quiet as a mouse, not saying a word. You can be absolutely certain of that.”
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Could Max Verstappen join Mercedes in 2027?
The irony of the situation is that Verstappen was heavily linked with a move to Mercedes midway through 2025. While Toto Wolff did not get his main target for 2026, it could be possible in 2027.
It is plausible to think that Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull at the end of the 2026 season through an exit clause in his contract. If that were to happen, George Russell should be worried about his future, as rumours suggest Antonelli has a contract until 2029.
Would Max Verstappen be complaining about F1’s 2026 regulations if he had joined Mercedes?
Wolff ‘must be laughing’ at Verstappen wanting to join Mercedes, according to Mike Hezemans. Given the Silver Arrows’ current dominance, he may be able to get the Dutchman for a cheaper fee.
But there is the question of whether the 28-year-old will want to stay in F1 at all. Verstappen has proposed changes to the rules to the FIA, proving how passionate he is about the sport.
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