It's no secret that the 2026 regulations have not quite hit the spot for everyone in Formula 1. From a completely different style of driving the cars to a complete overhaul on how to overtake effectively on track now that the cars are more dependent on electrical power on the straights.
Fans and drivers alike have expressed their dissatisfaction with this new era of Formula 1 all throughout the first part of the 2026 season, but no one has been as vocal as ↗︎Max Verstappen who already warned everyone about this regulation set back in 2023.
Justified criticism or performance frustration?
In a recent interview with ↗︎RacingNews365 at the Hungaroring, the 4-time world champion talks about his earlier warnings about the current cars and how people reacted to his views.(Translated from Dutch) "I have been speaking out about these rules for a long time. In the beginning, most people said: 'Oh, he's just complaining. He should keep his mouth shut'. But I have to say that over the last few races, more and more people are seeing the same thing that I saw coming long time ago,"
Verstappen has also received criticism that his complaints are rooted in the fact that he is not competitive this season with his RB22, but this is far from the truth according to the Dutchman:"It's not about the fact that I'm not winning anymore. It's simply because I care about the product. I've said it many times, and at a certain point, that is enough, right? But of course, people keep asking about it, and maybe that isn't always appreciated."
Driving the 2026 cars can be a real challenge
With 11 rounds out of 23 completed, F1 has visited some truly iconic venues and seen a great variation of circuits. However at every circuit the drivers have raced at so far, there have been major changes to how drivers have to approach some corners and straights.
Approaches that have been largely the same for the past 12 years. Many drivers were surprised by suggestions they have received from their engineers when it comes to where they can gain time in Qualifying throughout this year.
When it has come to driving during the Grand Prix this has been no different. "The way we are racing isn't really realistic'. And then you end up at some circuits and you are driving with not a lot of horsepower by F1 standards. That is a bit painful, which is what I saw coming for years. Naturally, that isn't the most exciting. But at a certain point, I am also getting a bit tired of repeating myself, because it's hard enough just having to drive it,"
Max Verstappen has not been a happy customer this season as he has been very vocal of all kinds of issues with his car. He has had three high-speed crashes and a few technical DNF's, highlighting just how tricky these cars can be to drive at the level that the 4-time world champion has gotten used to over the years.
