Max Verstappen told to 'shut up and drive' over F1 complaints

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has suggested that Max Verstappen should “shut up and drive” rather than continue complaining about the 2026 cars.

Verstappen has been vocal about his lack of enjoyment with the new challengers, labelling them “anti-racing” and a “joke”.

Rival F1 drivers have echoed his complaints, while others, including Lewis Hamilton, have insisted they are enjoying the fresh challenge.

Drivers are now having to place heavy focus on the harvesting and deployment of electrical power, resulting in extreme energy-saving tactics not seen before in F1.

Speaking on the Stay on Track podcast, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill posed the question: “Max Verstappen - does he need to just shut up and drive?”

Herbert replied: “In many respects, yes.

“It’s always very nice when you're in the best car. It's always a bit of a struggle when you're not in the best car.

“He hasn't had a bad career thus far; there are still many more things that he's going to be able to achieve in F1, as in another world championship or three.”

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Verstappen lack of diplomacy a 'good' trait - Hill

Verstappen has long been outspoken on F1 matters he disagrees with, such as the expansion of the F1 calendar and the addition of sprint events.

The four-time champion has insisted that his grief with the new rules does not come from Red Bull not being positioned at the head of the pecking order this year.

Verstappen has already threatened to leave the sport in the near future because he is not enjoying the new cars.

It's a situation Hill has encouraged F1 to take very seriously.

“Diplomacy is not his thing,” Hill said. “I’m saying it's good, you'll always get a direct, honest opinion from him.

“He will say what he really thinks. Only the trouble he's got now is that it does sound like, because he hasn't got the car that can win, if he moans, it’s about that, it’s not about the formula necessarily.

“As an advocate for what the drivers want from F1, that will be taken on board.

“Because what F1 doesn't want is for Max to decide ‘I'm going somewhere else to get my thrills’.

“That would be a vote of no confidence in F1 and where it's going.”