Verstappen urges FIA to take F1 regulation criticism seriously

Max Verstappen once again highlighted his concerns regarding Formula One's regulations, hoping that the growing criticism will cause the FIA to take action.

Max Verstappen drove an amicable drive to sixth position after starting the race from P20. Credits: F1

The Formula One 2026 opener took place in Melbourne, where all eyes were on how the new cars would perform in a competitive environment. This season marks an overhaul of regulations, with significant changes to both the chassis and the power unit. However, this change hasn’t been praised by the majority of drivers, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen the most vocal about his distaste for the new regulations. 

The Dutchman made his opinion known during pre-season testing in Bahrain, where he likened the cars to “Formula E on steroids” and labelled the cars as “anti-racing”. This is due to the driver having to monitor their electric energy usage throughout a pushlap and having to recharge their battery to launch an overtake.

Verstappen took to the streets of Melbourne on Saturday afternoon for qualifying, where his anger only intensified. On Verstappen’s first quick lap during Q1, his rear wheels locked up under braking, sending him spinning into the Turn 1 barriers. Following the crash, he was quizzed by the media about his opinion on the cars, where he bluntly stated:

“I'm not enjoying it at all. It also doesn't matter to me where I qualify. Whether it would have been at the front or where I am now, emotionally and in terms of feeling, it's completely empty.”

Following Sunday’s race, several drivers provided their opinions on the regulations, with Lando Norris citing the racing as "artificial". With the harsh criticism the drivers are providing to the FIA, Verstappen hopes the governing body will eventually change the rules. However, he said he won’t hesitate to walk away from the sport after he was asked a question about retirement.

“I love racing, but you can only take so much,” he stated.

“I think they're willing to listen, the FIA and F1, but I just hope that there is some action because it's not that I'm the only one saying it - a lot of people are speaking the same.

“If it's drivers, fans, we just want the best for the sport. It's not that we are critical just to be critical. We are critical for a reason, we want it to be Formula 1, you know, proper Formula 1 on steroids. Today, of course, again, that was not the case.”

“What they should worry about is the rules, just focus on that,”

“They ask questions and I give my opinion of what I would like to see and what I think is better for the sport because I do care about it, I do love racing and I want it to be better than this, right?

“So let's see what we can do. I hope that even during this year maybe we can come up with some different solutions so it becomes more enjoyable for everyone.”

The crash on Saturday meant Verstappen had to start in a disappointing 20th position, but throughout the race the Red Bull driver climbed up the pecking order, before finishing in sixth position. This is a significant feat as Melbourne marks Red Bulls in house power unit’s debut. 

Verstappen went on to praise the team for all their hard work creating such a competitive power unit:

“That's the thing also, I'm very negative about the rules, but I do feel really proud of the team and the engine side as well. The guys really have done an amazing job. So, from that side, I'm very happy to be working with them. I just wish that I enjoyed, a little bit more, driving-wise.

“But still, they've done an incredible job to be where we are, to be fighting with McLaren, with the Mercedes engine. I think if we improve a little bit, we can fight a little bit further up front and then suddenly, of course, the world looks a bit better.

“The rules are still the same, but the world does look a bit better in terms of how competitive we are. I hope, of course, that within a few races we can take a little step forward.”

The second round of the season will take place on March 15th, when the paddock heads to China. The weekend will also hold the first sprint race of the season.