Max Verstappen could leave F1, but Helmut Marko says a return is possible with V8 or V10 engines. Max Verstappen has voiced strong opinions about the new generation of F1 cars.

Max Verstappen has not been kind to the new generation of Formula 1 cars, voicing strong criticism ahead of the 2026 season.

The prediction from the Red Bull veteran

“More than F1, it’s Formula E on steroids.” With his usual bluntness, Max Verstappen dismissed the new generation of Formula 1 cars. The regulatory requirement to achieve perfect parity in power between the electric and thermal components is creating challenges. Features like ‘Lift and Coast’ during qualifying, and even overtaking in races with active aerodynamics now available to all teams, appear to be mountains to climb—even though on paper there are still significant differences in pace among the cars involved in the battles.

Melbourne will provide the first answers to the concerns that emerged during testing. In any case, Helmut Marko would not be surprised if Max Verstappen temporarily stepped away from Formula 1 to focus full-time on endurance racing in GT3 or the World Endurance Championship (WEC). “It’s possible, but he’s still relatively young and could return to Formula 1 at some point,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung. “I believe that sooner or later there will definitely be a return to 8 or 10-cylinder engines. These will then be powered by sustainable fuels, which will also address the highly criticized emissions issue.”

New regulations could actually benefit Verstappen

According to Helmut Marko, the new rules could work in Max Verstappen’s favor: “He drives and thinks at the same speed,” added Marko. “Since energy management will be critical, he will be able to maximize this aspect and extract all possible advantages from it.”

As the 2026 Formula 1 season officially gets underway, the friction between Max Verstappen’s purist racing ideals and the sport’s high-tech hybrid future continues to be a major talking point. While Helmut Marko acknowledges the possibility of a sabbatical into the world of endurance racing, his vision of a future powered by sustainable “bio-V10s” offers a glimmer of hope for fans who fear the soul of F1 is being lost to electrification. Whether Verstappen stays to conquer this “Formula E on steroids” or leaves to chase GT3 glory, his mastery of energy management ensures that as long as he is on the grid, he remains the man to beat.