Verstappen Calls 2026 F1 Cars 'Formula E on Steroids'

Max Verstappen is the latest driver to criticize the new generation of F1 cars.

Verstappen slammed the latest F1 cars, calling them 'anti-racing' and likening them to 'Formula E on steroids'.

The 2026 F1 cars have a greater emphasis on energy management due to the new Power Unit, which now has an almost 50:50 split between the Internal Combustion Engine and electric motor.

This move is in line with F1's ambition to become a more environmentally friendly championship, but Verstappen is not impressed with the cars due to the energy management aspect making them less enjoyable to drive.

When asked about his thoughts on the 2026 cars, the Red Bull driver told reporters in Bahrain: 'Honestly, it's not that enjoyable. I think the right word is management.'

Verstappen added: 'As a driver, it doesn't feel like Formula 1. It feels more like Formula E with steroids.'

'But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with it. And it's not my problem, because I fully support it. Same opportunity, I don't mind.'

'But as a pure driver, I enjoy driving at full speed. And now, you can't drive like that. There's a lot going on.'

'A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of input, has a big effect on the energy side. For me, that's not Formula 1.'

'Maybe it's better to drive in Formula E, right? Because it's all about efficiency and energy management. That's what they're fighting for.'

'From a driving point of view, it's not that enjoyable. But at the same time, I also know what's at stake with the team, with our own engine. And seeing the enthusiasm of the people.'

'Of course, when I sit in the car, I will always give my best. They know that. But the level of enthusiasm is not that high.'

Verstappen, who made his sports car debut last year, had previously indicated that he could quit F1 if he didn't enjoy driving the 2026 cars.

Verstappen's comments come after Lewis Hamilton also expressed negative views about the new cars and regulations on Wednesday.

The seven-time world champion described the new F1 regulations as 'very complicated', while also expressing concerns that they are 'slower than GP2 [F2]'.

'If you look at Barcelona, for example, we do 600 meters of lifting off the throttle and coasting on a qualifying lap. That's not what racing is about. Here [in Bahrain], we don't have to do that because there are a lot of braking zones,' said the Ferrari driver.

'The low gear we have to use is just because we can't recover enough battery power.'

'We can't recover enough battery power, so that's why we have to rev the engine very, very high. So we go down to second and first gear in some places just to try to recover a bit of that extra power.'