Verstappen launches biggest attack on 'terrible' 2026 racing yet

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has launched his most inflammatory broadside yet against the "terrible" racing created by the 2026 rules in the aftermath of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The most prominent critic of these regulations, Verstappen appeared slightly more reconciliatory earlier in the Shanghai weekend - but was highly critical again in the immediate aftermath of the Sunday race, in which he retired with a mechanical failure while running sixth.

A quick discussion of Red Bull's disappointing weekend - in which Verstappen saw the chassis rather than the new power unit as the main culprit - pivoted to Verstappen lambasting the style of racing on display, as his session with the print media stretched out far longer than they usually tend to go.

While the Chinese GP seemed to present a more tempered version of the 'yo-yo racing' that dominated the early laps of the opener at the energy-starved Melbourne track two weeks prior, Verstappen said viewers who took enjoyment in it do not understand racing.

"It's terrible," he groaned. "If someone likes this, then you really don't know what racing is like.

"Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing.

"Boosting past, then you run out of battery, the next straight they boost past you again. For me, it's just a joke."

Asked whether he could see the racing for victory out front at least entertain some fans, Verstappen objected: "Well, it's just Kimi [Antonelli] or George [Russell] winning, right? It's not really back-and-forth. They're miles ahead of the field. It's just that Ferrari sometimes has these good starts, then they push themselves in front, and then it takes a few laps to sort it all out. 

"But yeah, like I said, this has nothing to do with racing - and I would say the same if I would be winning races. Because I care about the racing product. It's not about being upset with where I am."

A switch to V8s has been earmarked as F1's next set of regulations down the line, but Verstappen said "it's painful" that it can't come as early as next year, and that this current set is "fundamentally flawed" and can only be helped "a little".

"I think they [the series organisers] understand where we are coming from as drivers. I speak for most of the drivers - some of course will say it's great because they're winning races, which is fair enough. When you have an advantage, why would you give that up, right? Because you never know if you're going to have a good car again. 

"But if you just speak to most of the drivers, yeah, it's not what we like, I don't think it's what the real F1 fans like. Maybe some fans like it but they don't understand racing. 

"Hopefully we can get rid of this as soon as possible."

Verstappen said F1 "should have listened already in '23" when he and some others were sounding alarm bells about these proposed new regulations.

"Unfortunately they did what they did, so lesson for the future - that this would never happen again, that would be great."

Asked whether those running F1 might be disincentivised to address the artificiality of racing if it successfully appeals to a more casual audience, he said: "I hope they don't think like that. Because it will eventually ruin the sport. It will come and bite them back in the ass. 

"But for me, as long as we can just communicate with them, and make sure we are working on some solutions that will help a lot - but it's also going to be very difficult with everyone to agree, of course. Not everyone needs to agree, but most of the people have to agree to make changes. But like I said, it's political, right? Some people feel they have the advantage now and they want to of course use that - rightly so, I get that, I'm not stupid. 

"But at the same time if you look at it for the sport it's just not good."