The 2026 F1 regulations are shaking up the grid: concerns are not limited to Max Verstappen, as other drivers reportedly want to openly criticize the technical choices. The paddock is closely scrutinizing the new technical rules ahead of the 2026 season opener. While the Dutch driver is certainly the most outspoken critic of the new generation of cars, it seems that other drivers are also ready to speak out on the issue. According to The Race, it is in Formula 1’s interest to “limit” these public statements.
“They don’t realize how problematic these cars are: [in Bahrain] it’s still acceptable, but in Melbourne you’ll see how much we’ll have to lift off the throttle,” Max Verstappen said, criticizing the new technical cycle of the Formula 1 Circus after the first round of testing in Sakhir. The main concerns focus on the driving style required by the new Power Units, which prioritize energy management over pure driving performance.
As we explained in a previous article, the 2026 regulations seem to contradict the FIA’s initial intentions. If the goal was to encourage on-track battles and create a more exciting Formula 1 where individual talent could outshine the mechanical quality of the car, the result appears to be the opposite.
Paddock doubts: many share Verstappen’s concerns
While on the surface some drivers may have partially contradicted Max Verstappen’s comments, the truth appears more complex. “One driver told me that Max spoke on behalf of many of them when he criticized the Power Units and those kinds of things,” Scott Mitchell-Malm explained on The Race podcast. “Many don’t speak out because there is a certain desire from Formula 1 to prevent drivers from constantly criticizing the new regulations even before the first race.”
“Drivers who are more openly opinionated and enjoy high credibility, like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, can do it, unlike others who are further back on the grid,” the British journalist concluded.
The reported “silencing” of the grid regarding the 2026 regulations highlights the high stakes involved in Formula 1’s transition to its new era. When multiple drivers reportedly agree that the cars are fundamentally problematic, yet only those with the most championship titles feel safe enough to speak, it points to a significant disconnect between the regulators and the athletes. As the season opener in Melbourne approaches, the actual on-track product will eventually speak for itself, potentially validating Verstappen’s warnings and forcing the sport to confront the realities of its new technical identity.
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