F1 | Max Verstappen criticizes ground-effect cars: FIA responds and reassures ahead of 2026. Max Verstappen highlights the physical challenges of driving ground-effect F1 cars.

Max Verstappen hasn’t held back in criticizing the current generation of F1 cars, describing them as physically demanding, but the FIA has responded with reassurances ahead of the 2026 season. Regardless of the Abu Dhabi result, Max Verstappen, alongside Red Bull, has been the dominant force in the ground-effect era, securing three Drivers’ Championships and two Constructors’ titles. It has been a remarkable achievement for the Milton Keynes squad, yet their lead driver admits that these cars have taken a toll on his body.

“It hasn’t been comfortable at all over these years: my back is being destroyed and my feet always hurt,” Max Verstappen said in Las Vegas. “Physically, it hasn’t been easy. When you run scans, the results aren’t good. Compared to motocross, we can’t complain too much, but knowing how the cars were or how they could be, I would honestly prefer to go back to 2015-2016.”

The FIA responds to Verstappen’s criticisms and reassures him for 2026

The issue of porpoising has been a major talking point since 2022. Looking ahead to 2026, however, FIA Director of Formula 1 cars Nikolas Tombazis has reassured that a return of porpoising is highly unlikely.

“The main problem was that the cars were running very low and very stiff,” Nikolas Tombazis explained. “It was something that wasn’t fully anticipated during the development of this generation. Next year’s aerodynamic trend will still favor low setups, but to a lesser extent. The sensitivity of the aerodynamics to ride height will be reduced, the optimal point will be higher, and cars should be softer to increase mechanical grip. These are projections, but all signs point in this direction. We’ll only know for sure on track.”

Porpoising wasn’t anticipated because it wasn’t detected in simulators or wind tunnels. While there is no absolute certainty it will disappear completely in 2026, returning to a flat floor is reassuring for engineers, as it is a known and manageable solution.

Mercedes Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta also confirmed this outlook: “As with any regulatory change, problems are more pronounced at the start of the cycle. In 2022, porpoising was widespread and drivers often complained. Month by month, teams understood the dynamics, learned to manage it, and the problem gradually disappeared. Every technical era brings new challenges, but teams have the time and tools to address them.”

Once again, Verstappen was candid in his statements, but it is clear that ground-effect cars have created difficulties for most drivers. The 2026 regulations are expected to bring more spectacle, but more importantly, they promise a step forward in terms of safety for drivers who are constantly exposed to extremely high risks.