Max Verstappen has "full belief and trust " the FIA will make right call for Formula 1

The Red Bull driver has been outspoken in recent weeks about the direction of the 2026 regulations, amid concern that the new power unit balance could move Formula 1 away from its core racing DNA. Asked whether Red Bull were pushing harder for changes, Verstappen chose not to escalate the row.

The four time F1 World Champion told reporters at Monaco: “I think these discussions are ongoing. So that’s then not up to me now. I have full belief and trust also on the FIA side, that they make the right call for motorsport and F1 in general for the future. So I leave that up to them.

“I’ve said everything that I wanted to say. And at the same time, I think what already has been very good this year is that we have been involved in the discussions, and they’ve been a lot more open. Actually having meetings with them was great.

“I think that’s exactly what we need to do also in the future. Then this could have been avoided a little bit. But yes, I think a lot of positive steps have been taken already this year for the future.”

Verstappen’s comments came as he prepares for the Monaco Grand Prix, where Red Bull face another major test on a circuit that punishes weakness over bumps and kerbs.

Asked where Red Bull still need to improve, Verstappen said: “You want to improve in every area. We want more grip, you want more power, you want better braking efficiency, you want the tyres to operate in a better window. So, in that sense, you want to be better everywhere.

“Looking at Montreal, we’re definitely lacking on the straight. But also in the corners, the ride or in general on the bumps, we were not, let’s say, the best. And high-speed corners in other places," revealed Verstappen, a two time winner at the Principality.

Monaco will offer a different test for the 2026 cars, with low speed agility more important than outright efficiency. Verstappen, however, again pointed to driveability as a concern.

Asked whether Monaco could show the new cars in their best light, Verstappen said: “Maybe. I just think you will see a little bit better now with the wheels. It’s probably a little bit more agile in the low speed, but at the same time that comes together with driveability, which with these cars I feel like took a step back compared to last year’s car. So, we’ll see.”

Qualifying remains the key battleground in Monaco, where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Verstappen admitted Saturday still carries the biggest performance demand of the weekend: "It’s still the highlight, I would say, of the weekend in terms of where you need to of course perform. So, we’ll of course try to do the best we can there.”

Verstappen was also asked about racing outside Formula 1, something he has pursued more seriously this year as Red Bull’s start to the season proved difficult.

The Dutchman said: “Well, I don’t think it hurts the performance. Everyone knows, beginning of the year it’s been a bit tricky for us. I also had this dream that I wanted to race outside of Formula 1, and this was basically the first year where I could do it.

“I just enjoy also racing in other categories, different cars. As long as you can combine it well with Formula 1, I think it’s a bonus. It’s a thing that I really enjoyed. And then also when you come back to the paddock in Formula 1 with positive feelings, it can only help."

Asked if there were other categories he was considering for the future, Verstappen replied: “Yes, a lot of endurance-related stuff for sure.”

His interest in racing beyond F1 remains significant at a time when he has openly questioned aspects of the championship’s technical direction. For now, Verstappen insists he is leaving the next step to the FIA, while focusing on extracting the best from Red Bull at Monaco.

The event itself remains under scrutiny for its lack of overtaking, but Verstappen dismissed some of the modern criticism: "It’s always been the same, but up until, what, 15 years ago, you didn’t have social media. 

"Now everyone with a random phone or laptop is complaining online, where before they could only vent it themselves at home or to a family member. It’s just that more people write about it, where before people were just screaming at home.”

Verstappen has yet to win a race this season. But he knows his way to the top step of the royal podium as his victories in 2021 and 2023 testify. Doing the business on Sunday for a hat-trick of wins around the streets of Monaco, would defy the odds. However, rule Verstappen out at your peril.