Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was brutally honest on Thursday ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, calling out the 2026 regulations and cars in the process.
Verstappen was asked about the effectiveness of using simulators with the new set of cars, and he revealed that a new solution has emerged amid his growing frustrations with the new car.
“I found a cheaper solution, I swapped the simulator for my Nintendo Switch,” Verstappen said. “I’m practicing with Mario Kart, actually. Finding the mushrooms is going quite well, the blue shells is a bit more difficult.
“I’m working on it. The rocket is still not there; it’s coming!”
Verstappen’s tongue-in-cheek comments come after Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc described his battle with Mercedes driver George Russell as facing a driver with “like the mushroom in Mario Kart,” which gives a speed boost.
Max Verstappen’s Feelings on the 2026 Cars
Verstappen has been incredibly critical of the 2026 cars since they were first tested in simulators, and his feelings on them have not changed much.
His comments on the new regulations have sparked widespread speculation that he may not be long for the sport, though on Thursday, he reaffirmed his commitment.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t want to leave really,” Verstappen said.
“I wish I had a bit more fun for sure, but I’m also doing other stuff that is a lot of fun. I mean, I get to race the Nordschleife. Hope in the coming years I can do Spa, hopefully Le Mans.
“So, I’m combining stuff to find other stuff that I find really fun as well. So I have a lot of distractions at the same time. Positive distractions, I would call it.
“But at the same time, it’s a bit conflicting because I don’t really enjoy driving the car, but I do enjoy working with all the people in the team and from the engine department as well. Yeah, it’s almost like a bit of a mind … I can’t swear!”
The Dutch driver does not have much confidence that things will get better soon, but he remains hopeful that change could happen.
“I don’t want to leave, but I also hope of course that it gets better,” he added. “And I know, I mean, I’ve had discussions with FOM and FIA
“I definitely hope not for the next few years, but I hope already for next year we can already make a decent improvement. But there are a few options that we are discussing.”
