Max Verstappen criticised Formula 1’s choice of circuits for Sprint events despite winning the Singapore Sprint, arguing that the format should not be used at venues where overtaking is effectively impossible. The Red Bull driver admitted he had not fully enjoyed his victory at Marina Bay and questioned the value of adding extra races at circuits that offer limited opportunities for wheel-to-wheel action.
The comments underline that Verstappen’s criticism of Formula 1 has not depended on his own results. Even after taking victory in Singapore, the four-time world champion remained willing to challenge decisions he believes do not improve the quality of the racing.
Max Verstappen criticises F1 Sprint choices after Singapore win
When Max Verstappen threatened earlier in the year that he could walk away from Formula 1, several people — including some observers within the paddock — linked his comments to Red Bull’s lack of results.
In reality, the Dutchman has criticised aspects of Formula 1 regardless of what he has achieved on track, and his reaction after winning the Singapore Sprint provided another example.
During the post-Sprint press conference at Marina Bay, Verstappen explained that Formula 1 should not race on Saturdays at circuits where overtaking is not realistically possible. In doing so, he admitted that he had not been able to enjoy his victory fully.
Verstappen: “We shouldn’t organise a Sprint where you can’t overtake”
“I think we shouldn’t organise a Sprint where you can’t overtake. There are tracks where you can race and overtake, and others where it isn’t possible. And next year as well, we’ll have Sprints on exactly this kind of circuit,” Verstappen said.
The Singapore weekend is one of six Sprint events on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, with Marina Bay adding an extra competitive race to a weekend already defined by the constraints of a narrow street circuit.
Verstappen stressed that his criticism was not about his own workload or result, but about the type of racing the format produces.
“For me, it doesn’t change anything. I simply do my job and that’s it. But it’s not what I like. The track is fantastic, but the problem at the moment is that the overtake mode here is practically useless. You don’t gain much on the straights, even considering the rules relating to our ‘beloved’ batteries.”
“At the moment, you can’t even get very close or reach a high enough speed. We need longer straights or a more suitable hairpin for overtaking. But even then, we need a bigger delta on the straight.”
Verstappen points to overtake mode and battery rules
Verstappen’s criticism focused particularly on the effectiveness of the 2026 cars’ overtake mode and the limits imposed by the current energy-management rules. At Marina Bay, he felt the available tools did not provide enough of a straight-line advantage to allow one car to close sufficiently on another before the braking zones.
That problem becomes especially visible on a circuit such as Singapore, where the straights are relatively short and the layout offers few conventional overtaking opportunities. The narrow walls and corner sequence further reduce the possibilities for drivers to run side by side.
The Singapore Grand Prix Sprint weekend therefore places an additional race on a track where overtaking has traditionally required a significant pace advantage or strategic opportunity.
Ten F1 Sprints planned for 2027, including Monaco
Verstappen’s appeal is unlikely to change Formula 1’s direction. As he pointed out himself, the championship has already chosen to expand the number of Sprint events significantly in 2027.
Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed that the 2027 season will feature 10 Sprint weekends, up from six in 2026. Monaco will be among the venues hosting the format for the first time, alongside Bahrain, Australia, Japan and Abu Dhabi.
The inclusion of Monaco is particularly relevant to Verstappen’s criticism given the circuit’s extremely narrow layout and long-standing overtaking difficulties. Sprint Qualifying will take place on Friday, followed by the Sprint on Saturday morning and Grand Prix qualifying later the same day.
For Verstappen, however, the principle remains straightforward: additional races only improve a weekend if the circuit allows drivers to race and overtake. His Singapore victory did little to change that view.
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