Max Verstappen says Formula 1, FIA didn't realise how bad 2026 rules would be

Verstappen branded the new formula as Formula E on steroids, insisting he is not enjoying it, as the new power units do not have enough grunt, specifically electric, to propel the car down the straights, as the new power units have limited the power from the internal combustion engine and rely more on the electrical motor with the batteries unable to store enough energy to sustain the power requirement over the course of a full lap.

Speaking in Bahrain, Verstappen said: “You’re very energy-inefficient on the straights. On this circuit it’s still manageable. But we’re also going to tracks where it will be a real disaster.

“Melbourne, Monza, for example. Not Mexico, because of the thin air and heavy braking. But that long straight there as well. Spa will be bad. There are quite a few.

“Maybe Las Vegas too, with that long straight," he went on. “Maybe we’ll have to brake halfway down the straight because we’ve run out of energy. I’m laughing about it now, but it really makes no sense.”

Verstappen was asked whether he discussed this matter with the FIA and Formula One management; he responded: “I think maybe they didn’t fully realize how bad it would be. But we’ll see.

“Like I said, this circuit is still manageable. When we go to Melbourne, you'll really see how much you have to back off on the straights," he concluded.

To be fair, Verstappen and Red Bull Racing were the first to warn about the limitations of the new F1 power units after early simulations showed the issues.

At the time, rivals—Toto Wolff in particular—laughed those concerns off, claiming the Milton Keynes squad are just saying that since they were struggling with their first project as power unit manufacturers.

The FIA also downplayed Red Bull's worries, insisting they were premature and that they will diminish as the regulations develop and mature.

However, from what we have seen in Bahrain so far, it seems Verstappen and his team were bang on with their statements, as other drivers have also expressed concerns, maybe not as blunt as the Dutchman did, though.

Lewis Hamilton diplomatically pointed out the shortcomings of the new power units, while Fernando Alonso also showed reservations.

Verstappen's former teammate, Sergio Perez, now driving for Cadillac, was not too enthused when talking about the new power units, also referring to Formula E in his verdict.

“It is very different," the Mexican said in Bahrain. “Definitely this Formula 1 does feel extremely different to what I was used to. I’ll say it’s the biggest change I’ve had in my career in terms of regulations.

“Very difficult to figure it out. What’s going on with the energy, with deployments, all of that is tremendously difficult.

“So yeah, a lot of this power unit comes into play much more than in the past, which is not ideal," Perez maintained.

The Cadillac driver is also unsure how the racing will turn out, adding: “I want to see how the racing is, because for me the main fun is the racing.

"At the moment, I just don’t know how we’re racing. It seems like overtaking may be a little bit trickier, managing your energies and etc.

"It might become, I don’t want to jump into conclusions, but they can be like Formula E racing. So let's wait and see," he concluded.

George Russell and Lando Norris were the only drivers to criticize Verstappen for his comments, basically asking him to leave the sport if he doesn't like the new rules.

But we know why these two are saying that… However, they should realize their statements will make Verstappen angry, and as we at GrandPrix247 always say: "An angry Max is a dangerous Max."

But that is a discussion for another day…