As criticism of the 2026 regulations intensifies, Max Verstappen insists: "It's not about me not winning anymore, it's because I care about the product."

It's bad enough that from next season Spa-Francorchamps has to share a slot on the calendar with the likes of Barcelona, but for many, to see this majestic circuit's legendary corners, such as Eau Rouge and Pouhon, compromised by the 2026 regulations was the last straw.

Finally, even those sections of the media that have backed the new regulations, treating the criticism with disdain, are speaking out, and it wasn't the yo-yoing in the Silverstone Sprint that did it, but rather seeing the nonsense that was the opening lap last weekend, as Max Verstappen, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and others lost positions after struggling with their energy management.

Days after Piastri said that drivers are no longer in control, and that qualifying has essentially become a lottery where the engineers choose the numbers, and it was admitted that the coding issue that affected all Mercedes-powered cars last weekend had been resolved, 1996 world champion, Damon Hill, cheekily tweeted: "Russell lost power earlier than Antonelli because he took Eau Rouge flat lap one. That was silly wasn't it, George? Call yourself a racing driver?"

Despite their best efforts, F1 and the FIA are no longer able to hold back the tide of criticism, and with the likes of Monza and Baku likely to further show up the abomination that is F1 2026, they are under intense pressure.

And like the hero in the movie that warned 'something's wrong, don't go in there', Max Verstappen, who was critical of the regulations before a wheel had turned, has been vindicated.

Speaking in the aftermath of last Sunday's race, while admitting that he feared an "aeroplane shunt" as a charging - no pun intended - Charles Lecelrc sought to take advantage of his lack of power, the Dutchman held back on further criticism of the rules, joking that someone might "shoot" him.

Asked about his comment a week later, he grinned and said: "No, I was joking about that one.

"I've spoken my mind about these regulations for a really long time," he continued. "And in the beginning, most people were saying, 'ah, he's complaining, he should shut up'. But I have to say that in the last few races, more and more people are seeing the same thing that I could see coming already a long time.

"It's not about me not winning anymore," he insisted, "it's just because I care about the product. I've said it many, many times, and at one point, that's also enough, right? But of course, people keep asking, and then maybe the answer is not appreciated always. But I'm just speaking my mind, because you see certain things coming.

"Sometimes people say, 'ah, yeah, but this was a great race'. But I say it's not really realistic the way we are driving. And then you arrive to some tracks, and yeah, you're driving on not a lot of horsepower for F1 standards. And it's a little bit painful, which I could see coming already for years.

"So it's not the most exciting. But at one point, I'm also a little bit fed up with repeating myself. Because it's already hard enough just having to drive it."

While moves are being made, the current 50/50 power split giving way to 60/40 by 2028, Verstappen doesn't believe that this will save the day.

Asked if drivers essentially have to put up with it all until the next regulations overhaul, hopefully in 2030, he said: "You've answered it for yourself. It's unfortunately what it is. And there's not so much that you can do about it."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ffracer, 7 hours ago

"@ Kenji - fully agree, emergency amendments needed to offset the battery dependency

@ Anthony - totally agree, although it took a while for Russell to see what the others were griping about... very strange, unless he thought that it was in the bag for him...

@ Superbird70 - in a perfect world, yes. Never going to happen as it works only infuriate the hellbent manufacturers who spent billions on developing this battery dependent AI infused racing. Funny how the drivers are finally abstaining from even Simulator work"

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2. Posted by Superbird70, 8 hours ago

"Ban the battery!! And all the coding that goes with it.

Check out, "Superiority", Arthur C. Clarke. Nice short story with parallels."

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3. Posted by Anthony, 10 hours ago

"My recollection is that George was vociferous in his criticism of Max’s views at the beginning of the season but even he doesn’t seem to like these (dreadful) regulations now!"

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4. Posted by kenji, 11 hours ago

"Surely we don't have to put up with this fantasy racing for anything longer than this season. Yes, massive changes need to happen but to shelve them until '28 is just too long IMO. If it means extra costs then the FIA should make an adjusted allowance to the cost cap to make it happen. It's not as though they weren't warned!"

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Verstappen vindicated

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