F1 2026 regulations: FIA responds to Max Verstappen’s “Formula E on steroids” claim. Max Verstappen recently criticized the 2026 F1 cars.

F1: FIA responds to Verstappen’s concerns

The latest remarks from Max Verstappen have sparked a media storm. The Dutch driver described the 2026 cars as “Formula E on steroids.” The blunt yet thought-provoking comment from the four-time world champion has received support from some of his peers, while others viewed it as a warning sign about his future in Formula 1.

Riccardo Patrese has suggested to the top figures of the F1 circus and the FIA not to underestimate drivers’ comments, advocating for a compromise to make the upcoming season promising rather than disappointing. Nikolas Tombazis, FIA technical director for the single-seater division, believes that Formula 1 is moving in the right direction and that only minor optimizations will be needed to achieve strong results under the new regulations.

Tombazis reassures Verstappen and the driver group

“If we consider the comments made last November or last summer, I think we are doing much, much better and have addressed many of the concerns,” Nikolas Tombazis stated. “The feedback from Barcelona and Bahrain is certainly better than expected, but there are still some negative comments, like Max’s. I think everyone is getting used to the new cars, but we are fully aware that we might need to make some changes, and this is currently under discussion.”

Driver feedback remains a priority: “We are taking the drivers’ comments into account. We are asking them several questions to gather feedback, and the teams and PU manufacturers are behaving extremely constructively in this process. Adjustments may occur even during the season as we learn more about the cars, and we are fully open to doing that,” he concluded.

The dialogue between the FIA and drivers like Max Verstappen highlights a crucial tension as Formula 1 enters its most significant technical transition in a generation. While the Federation is confident in the overarching “green” direction of the 2026 rules, the raw feedback from those behind the wheel suggests that the soul of the sport—the sheer physical sensation and unpredictability of the driving experience—must be protected. By remaining “fully open” to adjustments during the season, the FIA is acknowledging that while simulations are helpful, the ultimate laboratory remains the asphalt of the racetrack.