Max Verstappen doubles down on F1 2026 criticism: Red Bull star likes memes mocking new rules. Max Verstappen continues his criticism of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.

The Dutch champion has liked several social media posts mocking Formula 1’s new technical regulations, further highlighting his frustration with the sport’s new direction.

Max’s battle

While the paddock waits to discover what the real on-track battles of the 2026 Formula 1 season will look like, the first major rivalry already taking shape appears to be between Max Verstappen and… the regulations themselves.

Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have all expressed notable doubts and dissatisfaction regarding the direction the Circus is taking with the newly introduced cars. However, none have been as outspoken as the Dutch superstar.

Verstappen famously described the new generation of Formula 1 cars as “Formula E on steroids.” The remark amused many fans, but it was certainly not appreciated by Formula 1’s top management. Yet the Red Bull standard-bearer is not hiding his frustration on social media either.

In recent hours, fans have noticed one of his Instagram ‘likes’ on a post shared by American driver Jordan Taylor, a highly accomplished name in endurance racing. Taylor posted a carousel of memes joking about Max Verstappen’s reaction to the new regulations, imagining “what he would do if he came face to face with the people who wrote these new rules.”

Verstappen’s visible appreciation of the post is just the latest sign of his growing discontent with the path Formula 1 has chosen for 2026. The debate over the new technical framework continues to intensify among teams, drivers and supporters alike.

Now the question is whether his opinion will soften once the first Grands Prix of the season get underway, or whether it could be reinforced by how the new cars behave in race conditions. Either way, Verstappen’s stance ensures that the conversation around the 2026 Formula 1 regulations will remain firmly in the spotlight.

Max Verstappen’s latest social media interaction underscores a growing rift between the sport’s most prominent driver and its future technical direction. By publicly acknowledging memes that mock the 2026 regulations, Verstappen is signaling that his “Formula E on steroids” critique was more than just a heat-of-the-moment comment. As the 2026 season approaches, the pressure is on the FIA to prove that these new hybrid machines can provide the raw, visceral racing experience that world champions like Verstappen demand, or risk further alienating the grid’s biggest stars.