Max Verstappen has explained why 2026 cars will be 'terrible' as F1 confirm design for new regulations

Max Verstappen has explained why he believes F1 cars will be terrible in 2026 after major regulation changes are introduced.

The 2026 season will see the biggest raft of rule changes introduced by the FIA for many years.

The changes included more agile cars that are 30kg lighter, which the FIA hope will promote much closer racing and active on-track battles.

This includes smaller wheelbases, from 3600mm to 3400mm. Perhaps most significantly, downforce is down by 30 per cent and drag by 55 per cent, which will again promote much closer racing.

There will be a redesigned power unit, using sustainable fuels, which features a new system that gives drivers a 'short burst of energy' within one second of the car in front, effectively removing DRS and changing to a similar system to the 'push-to-pass' button used in American IndyCar racing.

There is also increased safety structures in place and active aerodynamics, with moveable front and rear wings.

A new rulebook, titled 'Operational Regulations' will also come into place, with a number of new key regulations included within it.

On Wednesday, the FIA released concept images of its 'refined' 2026 car, featuring minor changes from the original prototype that was introduced earlier this year and in 2023, including making the size of the car smaller.

But reigning four-time world champion Verstappen has expressed his doubts over the new regulations - even if many fans are looking forward to the changes potentially providing even more entertainment.

Speaking in 2023 - before the most recent changes - the Dutchman gave a typically forthright assessment of the planned new regulations: "To me, it looks terrible. It looks very bad, from all the numbers and the data that I've seen already. It's not something that I'm very excited about.

"It looks like it's going to be an ICE [internal combustion engine] competition, so whoever has the best engine, will have a big benefit. But I don't think that should be the intention of Formula 1 because then you will start a massive development war again and it will become quite expensive.

"Plus the cars probably have a lot less drag, so it will be even harder to overtake on the straight. And then I think you have the active aerodynamics, which you can't control, the system will control it for you.

"It makes it very awkward to drive because I prefer to control myself. When you're behind someone, maybe you need front or more rear [downforce], these kinds of things. If the system starts to control it for you, I'm not sure that's the right right way forwards.

"We have to seriously look at this because 2026 is not far away."

Whether the FIA has assessed Verstappen's comments and responded to early data captures in their refined plans remains to be seen, but fans are still looking forward to seeing how the changes impact on the sport.