Max Verstappen’s driving comments won’t matter in Melbourne, says David Coulthard. David Coulthard says Max Verstappen is entitled to his opinions on modern F1 cars.

Little fun behind the wheel

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has been very direct and critical of the current technical characteristics of Formula 1 cars, describing them as “Formula E on steroids” and “not fun to drive.” His remarks immediately sparked reactions from other drivers, including George Russell and, notably, reigning world champion Lando Norris, who suggested that Verstappen should consider leaving the sport if he wasn’t satisfied.

Talks will end in Australia

Criticism, barbs, and negative comments from Max Verstappen, however, are expected to disappear entirely once the 2026 season opens at the Australian Grand Prix. This is the view of former F1 driver David Coulthard, who told talkSPORT that when the focus shifts to racing, past criticisms become irrelevant. “At the end of the day, when the lights go out, all you want to do is be fast and cross the line first,” explained the former McLaren driver. “So, apart from testing, Max is now in his twelfth season in Formula 1. He’s been on track for several years, earned the respect of his rivals, and absolutely has the right to have an opinion on the driving experience. But that won’t be on his mind when he arrives in Melbourne. He’ll simply be thinking: how can I use this potential to the best of my ability? In the end, there will be a winner — and that’s the beautiful thing about racing. Once all the chatter stops, it’s just about the stopwatch and the checkered flag.”

Rivals and championship predictions

Coulthard also had the chance to discuss Verstappen’s perspective on his main competitors for the 2026 title. “He said anyone with a Mercedes engine,” the Scot revealed, “but it seems Williams is struggling a bit. Right now, if I had to bet, George Russell wouldn’t be a bad pick for the world championship, but never count Max out.”

As the Australian Grand Prix approaches, Max Verstappen’s words off the track are unlikely to influence the racing itself. According to David Coulthard, once the season starts, it will be all about speed, strategy, and extracting the maximum from the car — the very essence of Formula 1.