While several drivers are criticizing the new 2026 cars, Max Verstappen believes it is now too late to change the technical rules after the colossal investments made.
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The 2026 F1 season marks a major revolution in Formula 1 with the introduction of new technical regulations. The changes concern both the aerodynamics of the cars and the power units, which have been profoundly redesigned.
However, these new cars have sparked numerous discussions since winter testing. Several drivers have expressed their concerns regarding certain aspects of the new technical package.
Among the points regularly mentioned are electrical energy management, starting procedures, and the difficulty of overtaking. Some drivers also point out that the cars must sometimes slow down significantly at the entrance to corners in order to recover energy, which strongly modifies the sensations behind the wheel.
The first real test of these new machines will take place during the season-opening Grand Prix in Australia, which will finally allow their behavior to be measured in racing conditions.
Verstappen believes it is too late to change the rules
In the face of criticism, some voices suggest that the FIA should remain open to rapid adjustments in order to correct potential problems.
But for Max Verstappen, this idea comes much too late. The three-time world champion believes that teams have already invested considerable sums in the development of these new regulations.
“It’s a bit late for that,” he explained to the media.
The Red Bull Racing driver points out that these rules have been prepared for several years and that their consequences could have been anticipated well before they came into force.
“The amount of money that has been invested in these rules is huge, so they are going to stay for a while.”
According to him, the concerns expressed today should have been raised earlier: “You could see some things coming. Raising them only now is a bit late.”
An ambitious new engine project at Red Bull
Despite these debates, Verstappen is generally satisfied with the work accomplished by his team during the winter. The 2026 season indeed marks a historic milestone for Red Bull.
For the first time, the Milton Keynes-based team is fielding its own power unit, developed in-house as part of its new engine program.
The performances observed during testing in Bahrain have also attracted the attention of several rival teams, who consider Red Bull as one of the serious contenders for the top spots.
Verstappen himself says he is impressed by the way the project has come together.
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“I am very happy with what we did during the pre-season, he explains. It was a very strong and proud moment for everyone in the team, to see how the whole project came together between the engine and the car.”
A promising engine-chassis integration already
The Dutchman even admits to having been pleasantly surprised by the sensations behind the wheel of the new car.
“I was very positively surprised by the general sensations,” he confides.
Despite the complexity of the new regulations, he believes that the integration between the car and the power unit is already working correctly.
“The rule changes have been very complex for everyone, but in terms of the feel in the car and how the engine and chassis work together, it was really positive.”
Verstappen admits, however, that some aspects of the regulations do not please him, particularly those related to energy management, a subject regularly criticized in the paddock.
Red Bull cautious before the first race
Despite the encouraging signals observed during the winter, Verstappen prefers to remain measured about Red Bull’s real potential before the first Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion points out that winter testing never gives a completely accurate picture of the hierarchy.
“Of course, we always want to be a bit faster, he admits. Naturally, everyone always wants to go faster.”
According to the data collected in Bahrain, Red Bull would not necessarily be the fastest team at the moment.
“From what we learned in Bahrain, we are not the fastest.”
But the Dutch driver prefers to wait for the first official sessions before drawing conclusions.
“I have no idea for now. We will just see where we stand at the start of the season.”