Verstappen says some former F1 drivers do not study 2026 rules

Max Verstappen said some former Formula 1 drivers do not study the 2026 regulations at all and therefore do not know exactly how the engine works. When asked about the rules on television, they sometimes give what he called “very strange answers”.

Verstappen made the remarks to De Telegraaf during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, after being shown recent comments from 1996 world champion Damon Hill. He said his criticism applied to a number of former drivers, not all of them.

The 2026 change brought new power units with a much greater reliance on electrical power. Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris have both backed Verstappen’s views on the regulations, though he said he was not looking for allies.

Verstappen said he was setting out what he believes is wrong and what could be improved. He added that it would become clear whether the regulations were good or bad.