The Dutch champion Max Verstappen harshly criticized the new regulations of the Formula 1 after the Chinese GP and assured that the current racing format is “a joke.”
The pilot of Red Bull, Max Verstappenlaunched strong criticism against the new technical regulations of Formula 1 for 2026, ensuring that the current hybrid power system is negatively affecting the essence of motorsport.
After the Chinese Grand Prix, the second race of the season, the three-time world champion assured that the new competition model is more like a video game than a real race.
“If someone likes this, they don’t really understand what motorsport is about. It’s not fun. It’s like playing Mario Kart. This is not racing,” Verstappen said.
The problem with the new hybrid system
The regulations introduced in 2026 establish that almost 50% of the car’s power comes from the battery, which has generated a very particular racing dynamic.
Drivers can use an electric boost button to overtake, but that power runs out quickly, creating situations where a driver overtakes on a straightaway and then is left vulnerable when the battery runs out.
According to Verstappen, this system causes artificial overtaking and eliminates real fighting on the track.
“You see someone pass you on boost, then they run out of battery and you pass them on the next straight. To me it’s just a joke,” he explained.
A different experience in the peloton
The Dutchman abandoned the Chinese Grand Prix when he was sixth, after having fallen to 12th position at the start and making his way back into the peloton.
Although he acknowledged that Red Bull has not been the most competitive team at the start of the season, he said that racing in the middle of the pack allowed him to experience firsthand how the new rules work.
Verstappen fears for the future of F1
Formula 1 has highlighted the increase in overtaking in the first races of the year and has asked fans to keep an open mind about the new era of the sport.
However, Verstappen believes that more overtaking does not necessarily mean better racing.
“I hope they don’t think that this is good just because there are more overtakes. In the end that can ruin the sport,” he warned.
The Dutch pilot also pointed out that many pilots share his opinion, although some prefer not to criticize the system because they currently have a competitive advantage.
For Verstappen, the problem is structural.
“You can improve some things, but the concept is fundamentally wrong,” he concluded.
