Max Verstappen double-edged sword identified after harsh F1 criticism

As F1 prepares for its season-opener in Melbourne, former Williams team principal Jost Capito has suggested the 2026 power unit regulations could present a double-edged sword for Max Verstappen.

While the Red Bull driver has been openly critical of the new rules, calling them "anti-racing" and likening the championship to "Formula E on steroids", Capito believes the very qualities that drive that criticism also hand the Dutchman an advantage.

Speaking about Verstappen and the rewritten regulations to Kron Zeitung, Capito said: "His race intelligence is exceptional; he understands the race like an engineer."

However, he can also understand the four-time F1 drivers' champion's early frustrations.

With the move to a 50:50 split between internal combustion and electric power, energy management and battery deployment are expected to play a far larger role during both qualifying and races.

But Capito indicated that the ratio may yet be refined, adding: "Perhaps the split will be adjusted to 60:40 or 70:30, but you have to start somewhere and simply let the new cars run."

Getting to the heart of the discontent from not only Verstappen, but others inside the paddock, the German suggested that outright pace may not be the most critical factor over the year ahead.

"The fastest lap time is not the core issue," the 67-year-old said. "You have to develop strategies. How does the car behave? How can you charge the battery in the most efficient way without losing lap time?"

The complexity of the new regulations and the usual concealment of performance means that whilst the top four F1 teams — McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari — appear to still be the leading quartet, it is unclear who is currently the team to beat.

As such, Capito urged against reading too much into pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit. "The tests in Bahrain must be viewed with caution; nobody is showing their full hand," he stated.

He also declined to name an early favourite for the coming campaign, including Mercedes, which is the bookmaker's pick. He concluded: "We will only see the true balance of power in qualifying [for the Australian Grand Prix]."