The Red Bull driver launched a fresh attack on the new generation of Formula 1 cars after being forced to retire from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix. The 28-year-old has claimed they will “eventually ruin the sport”.
Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the 2026 rules and the cars which are powered by hybrid engines which rely on more electrical energy than ever before. DRS has also been replaced by ‘overtake mode’, and battery management has become a crucial part of racing, leading to far more overtaking, however, critics say it is artificial.
It emerged ahead of the season that the FIA and FOM had scheduled a post-Shanghai review get-together with team principals. It is said that this move was to discuss first impressions of the new regulations and consider if any immediate changes were needed.
It is claimed the meeting had been triggered by concerns after testing over the new regulations falling flat and the new cars triggering a poor spectacle. But the Race now claim this meeting will not go ahead.
The report claims the situation has changed after a more encourgaing picture of events in Shanghai this weekend. It is claimed the consensus in the paddock is that some aspects do not need addressing.
These include the qualifying spectacle and some overtly complex elements to the regulation. However, they are said to not be big enough worries to force a rush towards any knee-jerk changes. Instead, it is felt that it is better to hold fire and make a more considered action plan.
It is claimed the entertaining sprint and main grand prix races in China, have given F1 bosses some assurance that the spectacle being delivered is far removed from the disaster that some feared in pre-season testing.
The report adds that China was very different to Australia, which took place on one of the most energy-starved tracks on the schedule. It is further claimed that getting a greater understanding from the third event in Japan will give a better indication of the 2026 cars.
The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s has now created a larger gap before Miami to evaluate and implement any necessary changes.