Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen admitted that he is “exploring other things outside of F1” when speaking about the sport’s new regulations, which will come into effect for the 2026 campaign.
Verstappen, who finished second behind McLaren’s Lando Norris during the 2025 season, spoke following day two of testing in Bahrain when he hinted at a potential move away from F1, despite winning four titles between 2021 and 2024.
The drivers are currently getting to grips with the new technical regulations, which will see the sport move to a 50/50 split between an internal combustion engine and an electric hybrid system in 2026.
As a result of the changes, drivers will likely have to change their style and techniques to generate the required energy to power the car.
Advert
And Verstappen does not appear particularly pleased with the changes, with the Dutchman admitting that the car “is not a lot of fun” to drive on Thursday (February 12).
Speaking to the media in Bahrain, the Red Bull driver compared the feeling of the car to “Formula E on steroids” while also saying that it is “not very F1-like”.
Verstappen then said that he enjoys “driving flat out” before adding that he “cannot drive like that” in the current car.
Despite this, Red Bull and Verstappen have performed well during the first two days of pre-season testing using the RB22.
But this has not stopped the Dutchman from voicing his concerns about the level of enjoyment while driving.
“A winning car, for me, that doesn’t matter,” he said.
“It needs to be fun to drive as well. I think, at this stage of my career — I mean, I am, of course, also exploring other things outside of Formula 1 to have fun.
“I know that we’re stuck with this regulation for quite a while. So, yeah, let’s see.”
When speaking about other aspects of the car, he added: “The livery looks great, the car looks great. Obviously, the proportions of the car look good. I think that’s not the problem.
“It’s just everything else that is a bit, for me, anti-racing.
“Probably people will not be happy with me saying this right now, but I am outspoken — and why am I not allowed to say what I think of my race car?
“I can’t help that. I mean, I didn’t write the regulations. If it was up to the non-political aspects of making regulations, the car would probably have very different origins. But yeah, that’s how it is.”
The 2026 F1 campaign is set to get underway in March, with the Australian Grand Prix the first of 24 rounds of action.
Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Motorsport, Lando Norris
Luke Davies