Max Verstappen says half the F1 grid would fail checks if all cars were inspected. Max Verstappen claims that in F1, many teams push the limits.

The 2025 Formula 1 season saw its fair share of disqualifications, sparking debates about regulatory compliance. The most notable cases were the two Ferrari cars disqualified after the Chinese Grand Prix and the two McLarens at Las Vegas, both competing for the championship but flagged for excessive floor wear. Alpine also faced disqualification with Pierre Gasly in Shanghai. With the return of ground-effect cars, pushing the regulatory limits has become a recurring theme among constructors.

Max Verstappen shocks with candid remarks

In a year-end interview with Viaplay, four-time world champion Max Verstappen made a statement that is bound to generate discussion. “Obviously, everyone tries to find the limit, we all do. And sometimes you get away with it because you’re not always checked. I think if we were checked at every race, half of them would definitely be irregular,” he said with a laugh, pointing particularly at the teams finishing outside the top 10.

Getting serious, Max Verstappen added, “Checking every single car simply isn’t possible; it would require a huge number of people. The disqualification of the two McLarens was like an early Christmas gift for me — at least it made everything more exciting. It was positive for Formula 1, and also for me,” concluded Max Verstappen, highlighting the fine line teams walk between innovation and regulation.

In conclusion, Max Verstappen’s remarks shed light on the high-stakes game of technical brinkmanship that defines modern F1. These comments serve as a reminder that in a sport where milliseconds matter, the battle for the championship is often fought as much in the gray areas of the rulebook as it is on the asphalt, with the “limit” being a constantly moving target for engineers and drivers alike.