Overview
- Max Verstappen left Shanghai without points after finishing ninth in the Sprint and retiring on lap 46 from the Grand Prix with a power‑unit issue.
- Calling the racing “like Mario Kart,” he argued the battery‑boost system creates artificial passes that swap back once energy is depleted.
- He said his stance is about protecting the sport’s product, claimed many drivers share his view, and noted a return to older engine concepts is unlikely next season.
- Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff countered that Verstappen’s complaints reflect a difficult start with a hard‑to‑drive Red Bull and said the current product delivers strong competition.
- Pointing to more overtakes and fan response, Wolff and series officials defended the regulations, as Mercedes logged a 1‑2 in China with Kimi Antonelli ahead of George Russell.