Max Verstappen has once again voiced his criticism of Formula 1 and the new regulation cycles, stating that for him, GT3 racing is far more interesting. The polemic shows no signs of calming, even at the start of the GP in China. As he previously mentioned, Max Verstappen was not pleased with the regulatory revolution, going so far as to say that “Formula 1 is like a Formula E but on steroids.” For the four-time world champion, F1 has lost its essence and become too artificial, a sentiment shared by many of his colleagues and observers alike.
Verstappen on the 2026 F1 cars
In an interview with GPblog, Max stated: “If it were up to me, we would have had completely different cars.” The Dutch driver would have preferred different rules for these new cars: “I didn’t even choose these regulations myself.” His words underline the disconnect some drivers feel with the latest 2026 F1 regulations and the direction the sport has taken.
A political issue too
During the past season, Verstappen began exploring other racing categories outside of Formula 1, and he found GT3 to be his ideal arena. “At the moment, GT3 cars are much more fun to drive compared to Formula 1 cars.” This is a direct critique of the new 2026 F1 rules and the cars themselves.
But Max Verstappen goes further, emphasizing the political aspect of the sport, which he doesn’t find in GT3. The frequent discussions with the FIA about the new regulations aim to implement potential improvements in the future, with the organizations taking driver and team feedback seriously.
Max explained why this makes GT3 more enjoyable: “This is why sometimes I find GT3 races more fun. It’s simply more normal and less political in that arena. It’s more about pure racing. The cars may be slower, but that doesn’t matter much. It’s fine this way.”
He concluded by reflecting on his current position: “It’s just different. Anyway, now I have an opportunity to seize even in a season that isn’t particularly fun.”
Verstappen’s comments highlight a growing rift between the sport’s elite athletes and the technical direction chosen for the 2026 era. While the FIA remains focused on sustainability and electrical power, the reigning champion’s eyes are clearly wandering toward the “pure racing” of the GT3 world. As the Chinese GP weekend progresses, it remains to be seen if the on-track action can change Max’s mind, or if the 2026 season will continue to be a “political” grind for the Red Bull star. For the fans and the rest of the grid, these outbursts only add more fuel to an already combustible season.
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