Max Verstappen Reveals Why Current F1 Rules Are ‘Mentally Not Doable’

Despite securing his first podium of the season and renewing his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton in a hard-fought battle, Max Verstappen has reiterated his “anti-racing” stance on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations following the Canadian Grand Prix.

Verstappen admitted after qualifying in Montreal that remaining in Formula 1 under the current regulations would be “mentally not doable” for him beyond 2026, specifically if the sport retained the controversial 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy.

Following the Miami Grand Prix, Formula 1 and its stakeholders agreed in principle to move toward a 60/40 split between internal combustion engines and electrical power for 2027. However, that proposal has recently faced uncertainty due to resistance from some manufacturers.

When asked by Sky Sports what level of regulatory change would be needed to keep him in Formula 1 beyond 2026, Verstappen replied: “The minimum [60/40] that they’re trying to get to for next year. That’s the minimum.”

“The thing is I know how pure other motorsports can feel like. So then when you come back to this it’s just not very nice,” Verstappen added.

“I don’t want to be negative now after a race like this, but I know what it feels like to drive pure racing cars and pure overtakes, pure racing, and just natural driving.

“This is all a bit like, especially in qualifying, very empty driving. Anti-racing. And that’s not what Formula 1 should be about.

“So I really hope that next year we can get that 60/40, because that would naturally help everything a bit.”

Between the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix, Verstappen contested the Nürburgring 24 Hours where, despite leading with his Team Verstappen Mercedes-AMG teammates with three hours remaining, the team was cruelled by a mechanical failure. The Dutchman has already declared his intention to return and settle unfinished business next year.

“I’ve been racing also different kind of cars and especially last week, that reminds me how pure motorsport can be and how great the racing can be,” Verstappen continued.

Red Bull Racing and its in-house power-unit division, RBPT, in partnership with Ford, are believed to be among the manufacturers supporting the proposed 60/40 adjustment for 2027. Mercedes is also reportedly in favour, while Audi and Honda — both of which committed to entering or re-entering Formula 1 under the original 50/50 formula — are understood to oppose the proposal.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies once again dismissed suggestions that Verstappen could leave the team, insisting the four-time world champion remains “at the heart of the project”.

“Max is telling us he’s happy at Red Bull. He is involved in every strategic decision we are making. He is at the heart of the project. He is pushing with us and we both want the same thing: getting back to a more competitive package. And he is central to that.”

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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