Verstappen Warns F1 Regulations are “A Bit Late” for Changes

Multiple Authors – March 5, 2026

Max Verstappen has expressed concerns that the limitations of Formula 1’s new regulations were foreseeable and that it is now “a bit late” to implement changes to improve the racing. The new generation of hybrid cars debuted in Australia, but initial experiences from preseason testing in Bahrain have raised questions about the quality of racing they will produce.

Energy Management Challenges

The core of the issue lies in the regulations’ requirement for cars to be powered by 50% sustainable fuels and 50% electric power. This balance has created a delicate situation for drivers, leading Verstappen to describe the cars as “anti-racing” and akin to “Formula E on steroids.”

Certain circuit layouts, such as Melbourne’s Albert Park, present limited opportunities to charge the battery during braking. This forces drivers to strategically sacrifice lap time by harvesting energy in high-speed corners or on straights, areas where they would typically maintain full throttle. Recovered energy is then deployed to improve lap times on straights.

FIA Open to Adjustments, But Verstappen Skeptical

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has urged stakeholders not to panic, stating that the FIA is open to changes if necessary early in the season. However, Verstappen points out that the limitations of the new rules were apparent as early as 2022, and any significant changes now would come after substantial investment from teams.

“Yeah, we’re a bit late with that, right?” Verstappen said on the eve of the new season in Australia. “The amount of money that has been invested as well into these regulations, they will be around for a while. So, you could have seen this coming. Suddenly now things are raised, it’s a bit late.”

Potential Solutions and Concerns

One proposed solution is to restrict the amount of electrical energy the hybrid system can deploy at any given time, spreading its usage throughout the lap. However, Verstappen cautioned that this could simply result in slower lap times.

“I mean you can reduce the power, but then of course you also proceed slower in lap time, so I’m not sure,” he said. “It’s a difficult subject to actually say this is the best thing that we have at the moment. I guess that’s why they also just want to spot how it goes here in the first place. But, yeah, it’s all pretty complicated.”

Albert Park is among several venues – including Jeddah, the Red Bull Ring, and Monza – identified as particularly challenging for energy management under the new rules.

Variations Between Tracks

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton emphasized the significant variations expected between tracks. He noted that some circuits may require minimal lift-and-coast techniques for energy harvesting, while others will demand substantial energy management even during qualifying laps. A difference of up to one second per lap is possible depending on driving style and energy deployment.

“Some tracks you don’t have to do lift and coast [to harvest energy] for a single lap, and in some places you have to do a lot of lift and coast for a qualifying lap,” Hamilton said. “There can be a big difference between deployment, of a second. If you don’t lift in one corner, for example Turn 6 and Turn 5 here, if you seize it flat or if you lift, it has a massive compound effect through the rest of the lap. You can do a good lap but you could be a second down because the deployment is off.”

Importance of Communication with Fans

Hamilton also stressed the importance of explaining these challenges to Formula 1 fans. He hopes that commentators will engage with teams to gain a better understanding of the complexities involved, avoiding speculation about the drivers’ strategies and difficulties.

“I just hope that Formula 1 is able to project that to the fans so they can understand what’s going on, because inside [the team] it’s a lot to fully understand it,” he added. “I hope commentators come and go speak to the teams, maybe understand it a little bit more, so you’re not just throwing ideas out there about what we’re trying to do or what the challenges we are facing, because it’s no joke. It’s really, really challenging.”

Potential for Unexpected Results

The opening races may produce unpredictable results as teams adapt to the new energy deployment strategies, adding a new layer of entertainment to the sport. Williams driver Carlos Sainz believes it’s crucial to evaluate the positives and negatives from the first three races before considering any regulation changes.

“It could go both ways, that’s why evaluating and trying to predict how it will be on TV before it even happens is not worth it,” Sainz said. “Let’s see, whatever rules we’ve come up with for this year, let’s put them on track and then evaluate. And if there needs to be changes, that’s the only thing I’ve told Stefano and the FIA, is that we need to be open-minded in the first two or three races, because China will be different and Japan will be different again. Offer it maybe two or three examples, and then if clearly there’s something off, something wrong, I hope we are able to change.”