Lewis Hamilton has countered Max Verstappen's fierce attacks on the 2026 F1 cars after years of "smooth sailing" for the Dutchman.
Red Bull driver Verstappen has called into question his long-term future in grand prix racing, such is his dislike of the new energy-management heavy generation of F1 cars, even branding them as "anti-racing" and like "Formula E on steroids" during pre-season testing.
Verstappen has dismissed the idea that he is only complaining about the regulations because his Red Bull machine is not fighting for wins and podium finishes, saying he could accept finishing in the eighth place he did during the Japanese GP if he was enjoying his racing.
During the previous ground effect era, Verstappen won 51 of the 92 races held between 2022 and the end of 2025, claiming four of the five drivers' titles, and only losing his crown to Lando Norris by two points in 2025, despite having won more grands prix than the McLaren driver.
Whilst explaining what he personally disliked about the new cars, Hamilton felt that the FIA and F1 "can't please everybody" when forming new technical regulations.
"Naturally, when you have a good car, and you are competitive, it is nice to be out in front, and he's had that for the last four or five years," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365, about Verstappen.
"It's been smooth sailing for him, and this is the first year it's been so, but I can't answer that he's not enjoying it. I think it is definitely a lot of different drivers who are not enjoying it.
"I personally enjoy it, it is a lighter car, they are more nimble and more fun to drive. Do I love the power deployment? Absolutely not. Do I love the SM mode, not particularly, but as a whole, I think it is exciting for the sport, which is in the highest place visually and brand-wise.
"A lot of people are watching, and we are actually having some battles as opposed to processions where you're just watching cars pulling each other around each time.
"Everyone is going to have an opinion every time we change the car. Some people like it, but you can't please everybody."
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