Ralf Schumacher agrees with Max Verstappen that ‘Formula 1 is too complicated’ in 2026

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The new Formula 1 regulations have taken quite the bashing since the commencement of pre-season testing this year, and Ralf Schumacher is the latest paddock figure to share his opinion on the matter.

As we’ve come to expect from Max Verstappen over the years, he was one of the first F1 drivers on the 2026 grid to share his frustrations regarding the sport’s recent regulatory overhaul.

The four-time world champion launched a brutal attack on the new ruleset during the first week of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Verstappen labelled the new engine formula as ‘Formula E on steroids’, while also highlighting how the new demand for greater energy management is ‘anti-racing’.

The comments landed Verstappen in hot water with Formula 1 Management (FOM), but he wasn’t alone in his assessment, and has since been joined by some unlikely allies who have a similar verdict.

• READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas is adamant that the new F1 regulations will be ‘much better’ than people think

What do you expect from Max Verstappen in the 2026 F1 season?

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Ralf Schumacher agrees with Max Verstappen’s verdict on the complexity of F1’s 2026 rules

In an interview with journalists, including Auto Motor und Sport, ahead of the 2026 F1 season-opener in Australia, Ralf Schumacher sympathised with the grid’s criticisms of the new ruleset.

The former F1 driver agreed with Verstappen’s comments in particular, who echoed Fernando Alonso’s prediction that energy management will be ‘annoying’ this season.

“I agree with Max Verstappen that you have to calculate far too much with the electric energy,” Schumacher said. “That the overall performance is significantly lower than in our day, and that the car is considerably heavier.

“These are also my points of criticism. Formula 1 is too complicated.”

The complexity of the new technical regulations was a massive talking point during the pre-season tests, with the son of the iconic Enzo Ferrari, Piero Ferrari, agreeing with Lewis Hamilton’s verdict on the ruleset being too complicated, too.

Despite Schumacher agreeing with Verstappen’s sentiments, he also noted his criticism as being “a bit of a shame” for the expectations of F1 fans.

He added, “Max Verstappen certainly has a very loud voice and is a great guy, but it’s a bit of a shame when the drivers start complaining now, even though no races have been run yet.

“Perhaps they could have waited a little longer. These discussions aren’t achieving anything. They’ll just have to get through the next few years. Maybe we should all just keep quiet for three races.”

• READ MORE: F1 teams now want the FIA to ‘introduce limitations’ on Ferrari to prevent turbo advantage

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Some figures within the F1 paddock have defended the new regulations

While Carlos Sainz has also identified some of his own issues with the new rules, he has previously shared the same perspective as Schumacher when it comes to giving them some time.

The Spaniard noted that he will be the first driver to request a meeting with the FIA alongside Verstappen if things aren’t looking better after a few races.

Fred Vasseur has also leapt to the defence of the 2026 regulations, noting that a new ruleset often starts with teething issues that are often stamped out as the era progresses.

Of course, Ferrari’s strong pre-season can also be attributed to Vasseur’s optimism. If the Scuderia emerge as the sole frontrunners after the first round of the season, it’s unlikely that a bad word will be uttered about the new rules in Maranello.