Why Max Verstappen is at a major disadvantage under new F1 regulations

Former F1 team principal Franz Tost believes the championship's sweeping 2026 regulations have inadvertently punished its most talented drivers, with four-time drivers' champion Max Verstappen among those most negatively affected.

The new rules, which came into force at the start of this season, introduced a 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the battery.

Verstappen has been among the most vocal critics of the regulations, expressing frustration from the very opening rounds over the fact that drivers are no longer able to push flat-out in the way that previously defined elite-level F1 racing.

Tost, who worked closely with Verstappen during his formative years at Toro Rosso, explained in the 15 Love - der Business Podcast precisely why the rule changes create such a specific problem for the very best on the grid.

"It was known that this 50/50 split, 50 per cent from the combustion engine and 50 per cent electric, would, of course, cause some problems," Tost said.

"For the supremely talented drivers, however, the new regulations are a disadvantage. Why? With the current regulations, you no longer brake at the last moment."

His explanation cuts to the heart of what makes Verstappen exceptional. The Dutchman has long been celebrated as one of the most aggressive late-brakers in the sport, extracting time precisely at the point where most drivers have already committed to slowing. Under the 2026 rules, that advantage has been blunted.

"If you used to take a braking point of 100 metres, which was the last possible moment to brake, you now come off the throttle 20 to 30 metres earlier and simply roll through the corners," Tost explained. "Why? So that you use as little energy as possible, because you need it for the straight.

"Top drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri or Fernando Alonso derive their performance precisely from the braking point and the speed towards the apex of the corner. And of course, from accelerating out of it.

"But now, if you are simply rolling through the corner, they no longer have any advantage there. That is why they are naturally not very positive about the regulations at the moment."

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the FIA already introduced initial amendments to address some of the concerns raised.

Tost expects further changes throughout the season, though he acknowledges the politics involved are complicated, noting that Mercedes currently leads the constructors' standings and may not welcome regulation adjustments that could erode its early advantage.

"The FOM and the FIA ​​know all this; they are aware of the problems," he added. "Some things were already resolved for Miami.

"I also think that a few more changes will be implemented for the rest of the season. Now, of course, politics comes into play again, because Mercedes is in the lead and they will not happily agree to any potential changes. Then we will see how this is all resolved."

Max Verstappen is one of the most critical drivers when it comes to the new regulations in Formula 1. The Dutchman was certainly unhappy at the beginning of the season about the fact that the drivers cannot go full throttle, something the 28-year-old is only too happy to do.

Before the Miami GP, meanwhile, the first changes to the regulations were already implemented, which should already allow the drivers to push a bit more. Former F1 team boss Franz Tost, who had Verstappen under his wing at Toro Rosso, among others, shines his light on the new rules.

"It was known that this 50/50 split, or 50 percent from the combustion engine and 50 percent electric, would naturally cause some problems. However, for the super-talented drivers, the new regulations are a disadvantage. Why? With the current regulations you no longer brake at the last moment," Tost said in the 15 Love - der Business Podcast.

'Not so positive'

Then the former F1 team boss cites an example. "If you now take a braking point of 100 meters, which is then the last moment to brake, you now get off the gas 20 to 30 meters earlier and just roll through the corners. But why? So that you use as little energy as possible, because you then need it for the straight."

"Top drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri or Fernando Alonso get their performance precisely from the braking point and the speed towards the apex of the corner. And, of course, from acceleration on exiting the corner. And now? If you just roll through the corner, they no longer have an advantage there. Therefore, of course, they are not so positive about the regulations at the moment."

"The FOM and the FIA know all this; they know the problems. Some things have already been resolved for Miami. I also think there will be a few more changes for the rest of the season. Now, of course, politics comes around the corner again, because Mercedes is ahead and they will not be happy to agree to any changes. Then we will see how this will all be resolved."