Max Verstappen Critiques New F1 Rulebook

Max Verstappen expresses dissatisfaction with the 2026 F1 regulations, questioning if weight is the key issue.

Among all the teams, Red Bull is certainly the least enthusiastic about the new 2026 regulations. The future engine supplier, Red Bull Powertrains, is particularly asking for a reduction in the proportion of electric energy (which will account for 50% of the total power, in the regulation as it stands today).

It is therefore not surprising to see Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, also less than thrilled about this new regulation.

Especially since the Dutchman, a true ‘racer’, is quite reluctant to drive F1 cars that could be several seconds slower. With a weight not reduced enough.

“I haven’t yet driven a 2026 F1 in the simulator,” admits Max Verstappen, who however criticizes the regulation thereafter.

“But there are still so many things that need to be fine-tuned anyway for us to have a good understanding of the regulation, etc.”

“And I’ve already said, I’m still in the period where we can make a lot of criticisms – but maybe when you drive the 2026 F1, you’ll think that actually it’s not too bad, it’s quite fun.”

“However, naturally, when I look at the regulations, it’s not how I would have written them.”

“But I also understand that the world is changing and that we want to attract more manufacturers.”

“So if this is the way forward, I guess it’s the one we must take.”

Are the F1 cars still too heavy?

Max Verstappen specifically criticizes the weight reduction: the F1 cars should lighten by about 30 kilos, to weigh around 768 kilos. But this is not enough – and it will still be 40 kilos more than in 2014.

If Max Verstappen could change just one thing in 2026, it would be…

“The weight. Generally, the weight.”

“But it’s not realistic with the way cars are currently built. In terms of the engine, safety, and overall size.”

Does F1 change regulations too often?

The new regulation should have another downside: increasing performance disparities on the grid. Even though the competition is very tight today.

“There will be more disparity, naturally.”

“There are people who will be right, there are people who will be wrong. It’s always the case.”

“It would be fun if everyone arrived on the first day and everything was excellent. But that’s not how it works.”

“Look at how our cars were two years ago and how they are today. It’s very different. This shows that with the new regulations, it will be the same.”

“It’s not like you see the regulations and you know exactly what to do. That’s not how things work.”

“It is certain that when we start with a new car, a new regulation, and new engines, there can be a big difference, already between the engines. This will open new perspectives.”

Max Verstappen therefore wishes in the future that the FIA extend a regulation over the long term, instead of revolutionizing it every five years!

“I think we need to look into the future and see how we can adopt a regulation and not change everything in the next four or five years.”

“In the history of Formula 1, this has never been done before and I think it would help a lot.”