It’s being called one of the biggest regulation changes in the history of the sport, but not everyone is a fan of the new 2026 Formula 1 rules. In fact, after day two of testing in Bahrain, four-time champ Max Verstappen described the new cars as “just not Formula 1.”
“The right word is management,” said Verstappen in his first press conference of 2026, according to BBC Sport. “But on the other hand, I also know how much work has been going on in the background. Also, from the engine side, for the guys. So, it’s not always the nicest thing to say.
“But I also want to be realistic. As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.” The Dutchman also managed to stick the boot in on all-electric racing there at the same time. Start the year as you mean to go on, Max.
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“As a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat-out. And at the moment, you cannot drive like that. There’s a lot going on. A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things.
“For me, that’s just not Formula 1. Maybe it’s better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy efficiency and management. That’s what they stand for. Driving-wise, it’s not so fun.
“I just want normal driving, just how it should be.”
Given Verstappen’s recent appearances at the Nürburgring in GT cars, Red Bull bosses might be starting to worry that he’ll jump ship completely. Of course, reigning champ Lando Norris wouldn’t be too disappointed if that were to be the case.
“Any driver can go and find something else to do. It’s not like he has to be here, or any driver has to be here,” said the Briton in response to Verstappen’s remarks.
“I really enjoyed it. Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a bit better to drive, sometimes not as good to drive. But we get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so we can’t really complain at the end of the day.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good, fun challenge for the engineers and the drivers.”
That challenge is mostly coming from the new power units, which feature a near 50:50 split between petrol and electric power, meaning energy recovery is the talk of the paddock.
“If you look at Barcelona, for example, we’re doing 600 meters lift and coast on a qualifying lap,” said Lewis Hamilton. “That’s not what racing is about. Here (in Bahrain), we’re not having to do that because there’s lots of braking zones.”
Hamilton also described the new cars as “ridiculously complex.”
Since Verstappen’s remarks, he’s been called out and invited by Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds to try the latest iteration of a fully electric race car. Now in its fourth generation, Formula E cars make around 800hp with permanent all-wheel-drive systems.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
