The Formula 1 pre-season testing, currently taking place in Bahrain, is the first opportunity for teams to rack up significant mileage with the new generation of F1 cars. It also means that drivers can finally step out of their simulator and make a concrete judgment about the 2026 regulations. Max Verstappen made it clear on Thursday that he is not a fan of the new cars. While other stars are enjoying the challenges of the new ruleset, the four-time world champion wanted a machine he could push hard with tenacity.
A pillar of this season’s new technical regulations is a new power source, which stipulates an almost 50-50 split between combustion and electrical energy. While the V6 turbo engine is largely carried over from the previous generation, the hybrid system has been simplified to rely solely on the energy recovered during deceleration. The greater role of electric energy means drivers must be aware of the amount of electricity they harvest and deploy, something Verstappen hates. The Dutch driver told ESPN:
“Not really fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management. As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.”
“But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that. And that’s not my problem, because I’m all for that. Equal opportunities, I don’t mind that. But as a pure driver I like to drive flat out. And at the moment you can’t drive like that. There’s a lot going on.”
Verstappen previously said he would retire if he did not like the 2026 rules
“My contract runs until 2028, but (his future) will depend on the new rules in 2026, and whether they are nice and cozy. If they are not nice, then I don’t really see myself hanging around.”
If Verstappen were to leave F1, it would probably not be difficult for him to get a racing seat elsewhere. The Red Bull driver has not only spoken out about driving in other championships, but he has also acted on his word. Verstappen made his Nürburgring GT3 debut behind the wheel of an Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 in September. He and Chris Lulham won the 4-hour race by 24 seconds. Verstappen’s interest in competing in this year’s 24 Hours of Nürburgring even encouraged organizers to move the race date to avoid clashes with F1.
#Max #Verstappen #despises #Formula #cars #threatening #retire #doesnt #Jalopnik