Verstappen warns Monza will be 'really painful' under 2026 rules

Verstappen's discontent with the 2026 F1 regulations is nothing new at this stage of the season, with the Dutchman having begun the campaign lamenting"Mario Kart" racing, but Monza has long been earmarked as the biggest test of the new rules.

In 2023, Verstappen himself predicted having to downshift on the straights at the Italian GP circuit due to the regulations' 50:50 split on internal combustion and battery power. While the Dutchman has grown tired of criticising the new rules this year, he still could not hide his dread over the upcoming weekend during Thursday's media day.

When asked how he expects the 2026 cars to feel at Monza, Verstappen told GPblog, and others: "Really painful, it's very energy inefficient, but I also don't want to be too negative about it all.

Despite having been one of the most vocal critics of the new regulations, Verstappen said F1 and the FIA are doing the best they can to "deal with the situation," but nonetheless stressed the sport's rules are far from being fixed.

Asked whether mid-season tweaks to the 2026 rules will mean Monza is better or worse for overtaking, Verstappen replied: "It happens on a lot of tracks where changes are being made to try and make it better, but better doesn't mean that it’s fixed. It's far from fixed. But, I mean, everyone is trying to do the best they can, the FIA and F1, they are all trying to deal with the current situation."

Shifting attention to Red Bull's performance this weekend, after the Milton Keynes team were deemed to have the best ICE on the 2026 grid, Verstappen tempered expectations - saying he does not expect miracles at Monza.

"I think on the inefficient tracks, we've not been particularly great with energy, so I don't expect miracles here. It will still be tough," the Dutchman said.