'It's A Joke': Max Verstappen Unleashes Fury Upon New F1 Rules After Chinese GP

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 16:51 IST

Max Verstappen blasted Formula 1’s 2026 regulations after retiring from the Chinese GP, calling the racing “like Mario Kart” and insisting the new cars have turned F1 into a joke.

There has never been much doubt about how Max Verstappen feels about Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations.

But after a frustrating outing at the Chinese Grand Prix, the four-time world champion took his criticism to a whole new level.

The Red Bull Racing driver was forced to retire mid-race due to a cooling issue on March 15, capping what he described as a “horror show" weekend for the team.

What followed was one of Verstappen’s most scathing assessments yet of the sport’s new-generation cars and racing dynamics.

“If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is like," Verstappen said bluntly.

“It’s not fun at all. It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing."

Energy Battles, Not Racing

Verstappen argued that the new hybrid systems have turned wheel-to-wheel racing into a game of battery management rather than pure competition.

“Look at the racing," he said. “You are boosting past, then you run out of battery the next straight. They boost past you again.

“For me, it’s just a joke."

The Dutchman admitted Red Bull have struggled for pace so far this season but insisted his criticism has nothing to do with results.

“I would say the same if I was winning races," he said. “I care about the racing product. It’s not about where I am."

Not A New Complaint

Verstappen has been warning about the potential downsides of the 2026 rules for years. Even during his dominant seasons, he has frequently criticised aspects of the sport, from race formats to sprint events, despite often benefiting from them.

He also dismissed claims that the current battles at the front between drivers like George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli prove the new era is delivering better racing.

According to Max, the spectacle may look dramatic, but the quality of racing underneath tells a different story.

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