Max Verstappen often expressed criticism of the changed regulations in the run-up to the new F1 season. In particular, the powertrain, which will rely more on electrification and energy management, left him far from satisfied. Nevertheless, Verstappen wants to do his utmost to get the best out of the package in 2026 as well, he promises on the media day in Melbourne. “Even with a shopping cart, I’ll go to the limit,” he joked lightheartedly.
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In front of the Formula 1 cameras, Max Verstappen was asked about his findings: how does he view the new regulations for 2026 now, a few hours before the first race weekend in Australia? And which qualities will make the difference in the coming months? “To be honest, I don’t want to make it more complicated than necessary,” he responded soberly. “Whether I have to drive this car, last year’s car, or even a shopping cart; I always go to the limit.”
It led to laughter among the media personnel present. “At the end of the day, it’s that simple,” Verstappen added. “The car has a gas pedal, a brake pedal, and a steering wheel. With those, you just try to drive on the limit. You do what you have to do, that’s why we’re here. In the end, the best driver will still be at the top.”
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‘A bit too late for changes’
GPDA chairman Carlos Sainz previously made an appeal to his colleagues to give the new regulations a chance. He added the caveat that the FIA had to be ‘flexible’ when it came to possible changes to the regulations. Verstappen didn’t quite understand the Spaniard. “Yes, we’re a bit late for that now, aren’t we?”, he said about the appeal. “There is so much money invested in these regulations that they will be around for a while. You could have seen this coming. That this is suddenly being brought up now is actually a bit late,” is the judgment of the four-time world champion.
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