Verstappen Slams New F1 Cars as “Anti-Racing,” Draws Parallels to Formula E
The future of Formula 1 is facing sharp criticism from its reigning champion, Max Verstappen, who has described the upcoming generation of cars as fundamentally flawed and lacking the thrill of traditional racing. The sweeping changes for the 2026 season, designed to usher in a new era of power units, are instead prompting concerns about driver enjoyment and the very essence of the sport.
2026 Regulations: A Shift Towards Energy Management
A significant overhaul of Formula 1 regulations for 2026 centers around a new generation of power units. These engines aim for a near 50/50 split between combustion power and battery power, fundamentally altering the dynamics of racing. This shift places a heightened emphasis on energy management, requiring drivers to strategically recharge batteries during braking and cornering, and carefully deploy energy throughout a race.
Verstappen’s Discontent: “Not a Lot of Fun”
Following testing of Red Bull’s new car and power unit in Barcelona and Bahrain, Verstappen voiced his strong disapproval of the new regulations. “Not a lot of fun, to be honestly,” he stated, characterizing the experience as primarily focused on “management.” He went on to say, “As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.”
Despite acknowledging the need for equal competition, Verstappen expressed his frustration with the limitations imposed by the new rules. “But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that. And that’s also not my problem, because I’m all for that. Equal chances, I don’t mind that,” he conceded. However, he emphasized his preference for unrestrained driving, stating, “But as a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out. And at the moment, you cannot drive like that. There’s a lot going on.”
He elaborated on the impact of driver inputs on energy consumption, arguing that it detracts from the core experience of Formula 1. “A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things. For me, that’s just not Formula 1,” he explained. He even suggested a potential career shift, quipping, “Maybe it’s better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy efficiency and management. That’s what they stand for.”
New Engines, New Manufacturers, and a Mixed Reception
The driving force behind the 2026 regulations was to attract new power unit manufacturers to the sport. In this regard, the changes have proven successful, with Audi joining Formula 1 for the first time and Honda reaffirming its commitment after initially planning an exit at the end of 2025. Red Bull has also established its own power unit department to supply engines to its two teams following Honda’s initial withdrawal announcement.
While the new engine regulations have been paired with smaller, lighter cars, Verstappen found few redeeming qualities beyond the aesthetic improvements. “I mean, I like the livery, the livery is great,” he said. “The car looks great — honestly, the proportion of the car looks good, I think. That’s not the problem. It’s just everything else that is a bit, for me, anti-racing.”
A Potential Exit? Verstappen’s Future in F1
Verstappen, known for his outspoken nature, defended his right to express his opinions on the new car. “Probably people will not be happy with me saying this right now. But I am outspoken, and why am I not allowed to say what I think of my race car? I can’t help that. I mean, I didn’t write the regulation,” he stated. He suggested that a more objective approach to regulation design would have yielded a different outcome. “If it was, I think, up to non-political aspects of making a regulation, I think the car, probably the engine, whatever, would have looked very different. But yeah, that’s how it is.”
Verstappen has previously indicated that he might retire from F1 if the new generation of cars fails to meet his expectations. Despite his reservations, his Red Bull team has already been identified by rivals Mercedes as the “benchmark” during early testing. However, Verstappen clarified that his continued participation in Formula 1 is not solely dependent on championship success. “A winning car for me, that doesn’t matter,” he said. “It needs to be fun to drive as well.”
Acknowledging the long-term nature of the new regulations, Verstappen expressed a degree of uncertainty about his future. “I think at this stage of my career. I mean, I am of course also exploring other things outside of Formula 1 to have fun at, but I know that we’re stuck with this regulation for quite a while,” he concluded, leaving the door open to possibilities beyond the sport.
