Overview
- Verstappen’s repeated claims that the new energy‑heavy cars are “anti‑racing” drew sharp replies from Juan Pablo Montoya, Damon Hill and Toto Wolff, who told him to stop complaining or leave and called 2026 “pure racing.”
- The four‑time champion has floated quitting after 2026 and sits ninth on 12 points as Red Bull’s new in‑house power unit and chassis lag, with sixth in Australia his best result so far.
- Safety worries grew after Haas rookie Oliver Bearman suffered a 50G crash avoiding a slower, recharging car at Suzuka, and Fernando Alonso argued the battery‑led style makes fast corners too easy.
- The FIA, Formula One Management and teams have a rules review meeting planned, yet Verstappen and others expect only small near‑term adjustments and a deeper rewrite targeted for 2027.
- Mercedes have won all three grands prix to start 2026 and, as Autosport reports, that strength reduces any urgency for the team to pursue Verstappen.