Verstappen sums up new F1 era: 'Welcome to F1 2026, sometimes it can be a jungle'

The first to respond was race winner Kimi Antonelli, who explained that the system itself is extremely complex and, despite ongoing efforts to simplify its operation, remains difficult to optimise. He added that energy-demanding circuits make the challenge even greater, as even small changes in driving style can significantly affect how the system behaves, making it particularly tricky for the drivers to manage.

After Antonelli, it was Leclerc's turn to share his thoughts. The Ferrari driver explained that the complexity of the 2026 power units can make it extremely difficult to understand where performance is being lost, revealing that he experienced exactly that on Friday and during FP3 before small setup refinements restored the car's performance in qualifying.

Finally, Verstappen summed it up in his typical fashion, joking that this is simply the reality of the new regulations by saying: "Welcome to F1 2026, sometimes it can be a jungle."

The Dutchman admitted he was satisfied with finishing third in the Belgian Grand Prix, conceding that he did not have enough pace to mount a serious challenge against Charles Leclerc and race winner Kimi Antonelli. He explained that he pushed as hard as possible throughout the race and felt reasonably comfortable during the opening stint, although the second half of the Grand Prix proved more difficult.

Verstappen also suggested that both he and Antonelli were slightly disadvantaged by the timing of the Virtual Safety Car. Despite that, the Dutchman viewed third place as a positive outcome, stressing that he had extracted everything available from the car and that securing a place on the podium was a strong result in the circumstances.