'Pretty scathing' Max Verstappen finds F1 rules ally: 'Should we question him?'

David Coulthard believes it is difficult to question Max Verstappen, given his status as a four-time F1 champion, following his recent condemnation of the F1 regulations.

Red Bull driver Verstappen has been the most outspoken critic of the new rules since stepping behind the wheel of his RB22 in pre-season testing. Since then, he has been unrelenting in his attack over the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix weekends.

Verstappen has been joined in the chorus of criticism by a number of his peers, not least, reigning champion Lando Norris.

The Dutchman has called for changes, and although the FIA and the teams are due for talks over the coming days, it is anticipated only minor tweaks - likely for qualifying - will be made, which may not be enough to ease his ire.

Coulthard, a 13-time grand prix winner, feels it is hard to ignore the comments of a driver of Verstappen's calibre.

"When we spoke to him pre-season, he was very clear that there were some different challenges that weren't necessarily what he considered about getting the maximum out of the driving potential," said Coulthard, speaking on the Up To Speed podcast.

"So he has been pretty scathing. And should we question a four-time world champion? Should we question someone like that? And even the world champion Lando Norris?

"They're not making noise because they're not winning races. They're making noise because this is how they feel."

Coulthard, though, does feel alterations will be made, and from a sample of two races, has not been too disenchanged with what he has seen so far.

"I do think it will change, and I think there will be some changes made, especially for qualifying, but I think we'd agree that this new formula has definitely given us a lot more on-track action," said Coulthard.

"It's what DRS tried to do in the past, and what Pirelli tried to do at a certain point with having tyres that hit the cliff and then just dropped off in performance."