Verstappen slams 2026 F1 cars as anti-racing

• Max Verstappen said the new generation of Formula 1 cars are “anti-racing” and “not a lot of fun,” comparing the feel to Formula E “on steroids.”
• He pointed to the heavier focus on energy management under the 2026 rules, saying drivers cannot consistently drive “flat out.”
• Verstappen said performance alone is not enough, adding a winning car “needs to be fun to drive as well.”

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has criticized Formula 1’s 2026 rules, saying the sport’s new cars are “anti-racing” and not enjoyable to drive after early testing with Red Bull.

The regulation reset for 2026 introduced new power units designed around a near 50 50 split between combustion output and battery power. With that shift has come a greater emphasis on harvesting and deploying electrical energy, making battery management a major part of how drivers approach braking zones and corners.

After running Red Bull’s new package in testing at Barcelona and Bahrain, Verstappen said the experience feels less like traditional Formula 1.

“Not a lot of fun, to be honest,” he said when asked for his thoughts on the new regulations. “I would say the right word is management.

“As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Maybe it’s better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy efficiency and management. That’s what they stand for.

“Driving-wise, it’s not so fun. But at the same time, I also know what is at stake with the team, with our own engine. And seeing the excitement of the people.

“Of course, when I sit in the car, I will always give it my very best. They know that. But the excitement level is not so high.”

The new rules were designed in part to attract fresh manufacturer interest. Audi is entering Formula 1 for the first time this year, and Honda has chosen to remain involved after previously signaling it would exit. Red Bull has also created its own power unit operation to supply engines for its two teams.

While the 2026 package includes smaller and lighter cars, Verstappen said he is struggling to find positives beyond how the car looks.

“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.

“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.

“If it was, I think, up to nonpolitical 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 suggested he could walk away from the sport if the 2026 cars are not to his taste. Even with rivals already calling Red Bull an early benchmark in testing, he said competitiveness is not the deciding factor for him.

“A winning car for me, that doesn’t matter,” he said. “It needs to be fun to drive as well.

“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.

“So, yeah, let’s see.”