The Red Bull Racing driver usually does not mince his words about the current regulations, and when asked whether it is becoming second nature to use the battery more tactically, he continued his criticism in Montreal as well.

He said after his first podium of the 2026 F1 season in Canada: "I mean, for me, even this season, of course, I’ve been racing also different kind of cars and especially last week, that reminds me how pure motorsport can be and how great the racing can be. So, yeah, when I come back into Formula 1, the thing is of course here, especially most of the drivers, we’re the best in the world.

"Doesn’t matter, people say, 'Oh, but look now, the show is great, the cars were fighting,' but it has nothing to do with the car. It just needs to be more pure," Verstappen argued.

After the Miami Grand Prix, "in principle," an agreement with the engine manufacturers to change the power split in the engines from 50/50 to 60/40 was announced by the FIA. However, that now appears to be on shaky ground for two reasons.

Verstappen, who is also in favor of the change, said to GPblog, among others, after qualifying: "If it stays like this, it's going to be a long year next year, which I don't want. I can tell you if it stays like this, then let's see. It's just mentally not doable for me to stay like this. It's really not.”

The Dutchman added: "There's a lot of other fun things out there. Let's stay on the positive side. We're still, I think, looking towards making those changes and of course some people that at the moment maybe have a bit of an advantage will try to be difficult about it. But if the FIA is strong and also from the FOM side, they just need to do it."

The F1 season will now continue in two weeks' time with the Monaco Grand Prix.