Max Verstappen denies theory over 'joke' F1 cars

Max Verstappen has denied that his complaints over the new cars for the 2026 F1 season stem from Red Bull's position in the pecking order.

Across the opening two rounds of the season, Verstappen has consistently voiced his disapproval with the new challengers.

The cars have been built under a fresh set of technical regulations, and a big emphasis is now placed on the harvesting and deployment of energy from the power units.

Red Bull has also slipped back in the pecking order while Mercedes has established itself at the front of the grid.

Verstappen has insisted he would still be as vocal with his complaints if he were winning grands prix.

“It’s just Kimi or George that is winning, right? It’s not really back and forth,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.

“They’re miles ahead of the field. It’s just that Ferrari sometimes has these good starts that they push themselves in front, and then it takes a few laps to sort it all out.

“This has nothing to do with racing. I would say the same if I was winning races because I care about the racing product.

“It’s not about being upset of where I am, because I’m actually fighting even more now, of course.

“So you get to understand what you have to do and what it is about even more. For me, it’s really a joke.”

Other drivers, including reigning champion Lando Norris, have also voiced their disappointment with the new cars in the early stage of the regulation cycle.

When asked if he feels the rules can be saved, Verstappen replied: “You can help it a little bit.

“But it’s fundamentally flawed.”