Verstappen hits back at former F1 drivers: 'They don't read up on the new regulations'
Photo: Race Pictures
Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Max Verstappen has hit back at the former Formula 1 drivers who criticised his stance on the 2026 regulations. In an interview with De Telegraaf, the four-time world champion said many of them do not read up on the new rules, which leads to "very strange answers" on television.
The 29-year-old Dutchman has been hugely outspoken about the new regulations, which ushered in a new era with a 50-50 engine split between engine and battery power. He compared racing this season to 'Formula E on steroids' and 'Mario Kart'.
Verstappen even considered retirement at one point. As GPblog previously after hitting 'rock bottom', he came close to leaving the sport. Since then, F1 listened to Verstappen's criticism and have begun the process of re-addressing that power split more in favour of ICE.
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Damon Hill changed his tune
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Damon Hill was one of the most prominent critics early in the season. After Verstappen said following the Japanese Grand Prix that he was thinking about quitting, the 1996 world champion suggested on the BBC that he might need a break.
Photo: Race Pictures
I think if you're not happy doing something, you should stop and do something else.- Damon Hill on the BBC,
Months later, Hill appeared to take a very different view. On social media, he wrote: "On F1, AI, hybrids and algorithms, over time the contribution of the driver's art will be reduced or even rendered minimally significant. I say this as someone who worked on developing driver aids whilst with Williams. So, is this what we want? Its the burning question."
Verstappen says many ex-racers do not know how the engine works
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Verstappen was asked about Hill's apparent U-turn. The Red Bull driver used his answer to aim at the pundit class more broadly.
Yes, but you know what the problem is with a lot of ex-racers? They don't read up on the new regulations at all. So they don't know what the engine is all about and exactly how it works. And then they get asked about it on television, and sometimes very strange answers come out. That is the biggest problem. It doesn't apply to everyone, mind you, but it does apply to a number of them.- Max Verstappen to De Telegraaf,
Verstappen is not looking for allies
F1 World champions Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris have both supported Verstappen's criticism on several occasions, but the Dutchman puts little stock in that. He said: "I am simply stating what I think, what is wrong in my eyes, and what could be improved."
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