At the conclusion of Bahrain’s second day of testing, Max Verstappen candidly expressed his dissatisfaction with the new regulations in Formula 1, highlighting his lack of enthusiasm. During a session with English-speaking media, he labeled the new package as “anti-racing” and compared it to “Formula E on steroids.”
In a following session with Dutch reporters, Verstappen took his criticism further, revealing that he found the 2026 car so unenjoyable to drive that he had previously informed Red Bull of his reluctance to continue simulator testing for the new vehicle.
“The sensation in real life mirrors what I experienced in the simulator. Occasionally, certain aspects feel different in the simulator, but this time it was consistent. I must commend Red Bull for swiftly addressing this; their simulator is spot on. Therefore, I quickly realized that I didn’t need to invest excessive time in it!” he stated when questioned by a journalist.
Though he spoke with a smile, Verstappen’s seriousness was evident. “At one point last year, I explicitly mentioned that I no longer wished to drive it in the simulator. It felt significantly worse than the previous year’s car, so I decided to concentrate on last year’s model in the simulator and see how it goes this year. It’s just not enjoyable,” he remarked.
When reminded that he had also been critical of last season’s ground-effect cars at times, Verstappen replied, “Yes, but that was still ten times better than this.” He elaborated on what he perceives to be the numerous flaws in the new regulations.
Concerns Over Energy Efficiency and Driving Experience
“To start, you are incredibly inefficient on the straights regarding energy consumption. While this track isn’t too challenging, we’ll be heading to circuits where it will be a significant issue. Additionally, the overall feeling of grip and how the vehicle handles is simply not enjoyable,” he explained.
Verstappen finds the current setup unnatural for a four-time world champion. George Russell has previously indicated that drivers will need to adopt a more strategic approach. The fastest route through a corner isn’t necessarily the best for optimal lap times. A driver might gain two tenths in a corner but lose three tenths on the straights due to reduced energy recovery.
“Yes, that’s pretty much accurate. And it simply doesn’t make sense! In certain corners and at specific tracks, it might be more advantageous to take a corner slower to recover more energy for the straight. Frankly, that approach belongs in Formula E,” he asserted.
Future in Formula 1 Uncertain
This situation does little to bolster Verstappen’s enthusiasm for a prolonged career in Formula 1. “Sure, we’re still competing in Formula 1, and that’s fantastic. However, once you’ve achieved everything and won, there’s little incentive to continue. There are plenty of other exciting opportunities available, and I’m certainly considering those—perhaps even this year and in the years to come. This certainly doesn’t encourage me to stick around for the long haul,” he commented.
While this revelation may not be well-received by some F1 enthusiasts, Verstappen jested, “In that case, I’ll just race elsewhere! We could have a lovely barbecue and maybe set up a party tent next to the track!”
This highlights Verstappen’s increasing interest in endurance and GT3 racing. “Especially if the car isn’t enjoyable to drive, I find myself occupied with other pursuits. I’ve been diligently working to optimize the GT3 car—just this morning, in fact,” he added.
Addressing the Reactions to His Comments
Verstappen remarked that he isn’t overly worried about his future outside of F1, but that sentiment may not be shared by the FIA and Formula One Management. “Perhaps they underestimated how problematic it could be, but we’ll see. As I mentioned, this track isn’t too bad. When we get to Melbourne, that’s where the real challenges will emerge regarding how much throttle you need to lift on the straights,” he noted.
As the first F1 driver to express such candid concerns about the new regulations, Verstappen recognizes that not everyone may welcome his remarks. Nonetheless, he insists on being transparent with fans. “Yes, I’m aware some individuals might take issue with my statements today. However, it ultimately doesn’t affect me. I didn’t establish the rules, so they shouldn’t direct their frustration at me for decisions I didn’t make,” he concluded.
