Max Verstappen has sharply criticized the current direction of Formula 1. The four-time world champion believes that the new technical rules could harm the spectacle and the future of the sport.
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The Chinese weekend was not only difficult on the track for Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver also stood out off the track with a new, very direct statement on the recent evolution of Formula 1.
According to the four-time world champion, certain regulatory directions taken this season could have negative long-term consequences for the discipline.
“If it continues like this, it will end up ruining the sport, he asserts. And at some point, it will come back to haunt them.”
A strong statement that illustrates the unease felt by several drivers regarding the technical changes recently introduced in the championship.
A frustrating weekend in China
On the sporting side, the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix was particularly complicated for Verstappen. After finishing ninth in the Sprint race, the Dutchman eventually retired during the main race while he was still in the points.
The cause of this retirement was a problem related to the ERS system, specifically a cooling issue that prompted the team to stop the car to preserve certain components. This result marks only the third weekend without points for Verstappen over the last four seasons, a fact rare enough to be noted.
Despite his frustration, Verstappen explains that discussions are currently underway with the championship leaders to discuss the regulatory future of the discipline. He notably confirmed that he regularly speaks with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to voice the drivers’ concerns.
At the heart of the debates is the new power distribution between the internal combustion engine and electric energy, now close to a 50-50 balance.
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“We are talking to them about it. I think they understand where our concerns as drivers are coming from.”
Divergent interests in the paddock
The Red Bull driver acknowledges, however, that not all stakeholders in the championship see the situation the same way. Some teams, especially those currently benefiting from a competitive advantage, obviously have no interest in seeing these rules evolve.
“When a team has an advantage, why would they want to give it up? You never know if you will still have a good car in the future.”
Without directly naming a team, Verstappen suggests that some dominant outfits could hold back any regulatory evolution. But for Verstappen, the problem goes far beyond simple competition between teams. He believes that the direction taken by Formula 1 does not meet the expectations of many drivers.
“If you talk to most drivers, this is not what we want, and I don’t think it’s what real Formula 1 fans want either.”
The risk of a sport too driven by business
Asked about the often-cited economic argument—namely that as long as the audience remains strong, Formula 1 is doing well—Verstappen replied bluntly: “I hope they don’t think like that, because in the long term it could really damage the sport.”
The Dutch driver insists on the need to find a compromise between the various championship stakeholders: “We must continue to talk and try to find solutions, but it won’t be simple because there is also a lot of politics.”
For Verstappen, the balance between spectacle, competition, and commercial interests remains fragile. And without rapid adjustments, he fears that some current decisions will end up backfiring on Formula 1 itself.
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