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The bluntest voice in the F1 paddock has been blunt again, and this time the stakes are his own career. Max Verstappen has told The Race and other media in no uncertain terms that staying in Formula 1 beyond 2026 is conditional on regulation changes being made for 2027 – and he is not dressing it up.
“If it stays like this, it’s going to be a long year next year, which I don’t want,” Verstappen said. “It’s just mentally not doable for me to stay like this. Absolutely not.” Asked what the alternative would be, the four-time champion didn’t hesitate. “No. There’s a lot of other fun things out there.”
Verstappen has been one of the fiercest critics of F1’s 2026 regulations, which introduced power units with a 50/50 split between combustion and battery power, labelling them “anti-racing” and like “Mario Kart.”
Among the most frequent complaints from drivers has been that they are effectively punished for going as fast as they can, since the quickest way around the lap is determined by energy-management algorithms.
F1’s rule makers have reacted to those concerns by reaching an “agreement in principle” targeting a reduction in battery power and a new formula with a 60/40 split in favour of the internal combustion engine.
The adjustment would be achieved by raising the permitted fuel flow to increase combustion engine contribution by around 50 kilowatts, while reducing the electrical motor‘s contribution by a corresponding 50 kilowatts.
Verstappen called that trajectory positive, but stopped well short of declaring the situation resolved. “Let’s stay on the positive side – we’re still, I think, looking towards making those changes,” he said. These remain in-principle agreements, not locked regulations, and Verstappen is clearly aware that the politics of getting it done could be harder than the engineering.
“Of course some people at the moment that maybe have a bit of an advantage will try to be difficult about it, but if the FIA is strong and also from the FOM side, they just need to do it,” he said.
F1’s governance presents a tricky hurdle, as the sport would need to persuade manufacturers who invested heavily in that very 50/50 energy split to move away from it.
As ever in F1, those doing best are often the most reluctant to enforce significant change.
Verstappen has been consistent throughout 2026 that his frustration is about the product. He reiterated that the decision over his future was always linked to the regulations and not his competitiveness.
That’s a harder argument to dismiss than sour grapes, particularly because the loudest cheerleaders for the new formula have been the drivers in the most competitive cars – Mercedes and Ferrari – while the world champion trio of Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Fernando Alonso, all experiencing difficult starts to the new regulation cycle, have been the loudest critics.
When asked whether the proposed changes would convince him to stay, Verstappen admitted things were heading in the right direction. “Of course. I agree. And it will be better for the sport as a whole,” he said.
Whatever his intent, Verstappen’s comments appeared to have an effect, as Formula 1 introduced changes to the regulations for both this season and the 2027 season.
While Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, it is understood that he could activate a contract clause to exit earlier.
If the 2027 regulation changes get watered down in the stakeholder process, Verstappen has already told us what he will do about it. He’s not the kind of person who says things he doesn’t mean.
Continue reading...
“If it stays like this, it’s going to be a long year next year, which I don’t want,” Verstappen said. “It’s just mentally not doable for me to stay like this. Absolutely not.” Asked what the alternative would be, the four-time champion didn’t hesitate. “No. There’s a lot of other fun things out there.”
What He Actually Wants Changed
Verstappen has been one of the fiercest critics of F1’s 2026 regulations, which introduced power units with a 50/50 split between combustion and battery power, labelling them “anti-racing” and like “Mario Kart.”
Among the most frequent complaints from drivers has been that they are effectively punished for going as fast as they can, since the quickest way around the lap is determined by energy-management algorithms.
F1’s rule makers have reacted to those concerns by reaching an “agreement in principle” targeting a reduction in battery power and a new formula with a 60/40 split in favour of the internal combustion engine.
The adjustment would be achieved by raising the permitted fuel flow to increase combustion engine contribution by around 50 kilowatts, while reducing the electrical motor‘s contribution by a corresponding 50 kilowatts.
Verstappen called that trajectory positive, but stopped well short of declaring the situation resolved. “Let’s stay on the positive side – we’re still, I think, looking towards making those changes,” he said. These remain in-principle agreements, not locked regulations, and Verstappen is clearly aware that the politics of getting it done could be harder than the engineering.
“Of course some people at the moment that maybe have a bit of an advantage will try to be difficult about it, but if the FIA is strong and also from the FOM side, they just need to do it,” he said.
F1’s governance presents a tricky hurdle, as the sport would need to persuade manufacturers who invested heavily in that very 50/50 energy split to move away from it.
As ever in F1, those doing best are often the most reluctant to enforce significant change.
The Bigger Picture
Verstappen has been consistent throughout 2026 that his frustration is about the product. He reiterated that the decision over his future was always linked to the regulations and not his competitiveness.
That’s a harder argument to dismiss than sour grapes, particularly because the loudest cheerleaders for the new formula have been the drivers in the most competitive cars – Mercedes and Ferrari – while the world champion trio of Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Fernando Alonso, all experiencing difficult starts to the new regulation cycle, have been the loudest critics.
When asked whether the proposed changes would convince him to stay, Verstappen admitted things were heading in the right direction. “Of course. I agree. And it will be better for the sport as a whole,” he said.
Whatever his intent, Verstappen’s comments appeared to have an effect, as Formula 1 introduced changes to the regulations for both this season and the 2027 season.
While Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, it is understood that he could activate a contract clause to exit earlier.
If the 2027 regulation changes get watered down in the stakeholder process, Verstappen has already told us what he will do about it. He’s not the kind of person who says things he doesn’t mean.
Continue reading...
