Verstappen says cars a joke; Wolff blames his 'horror'
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- Toto Wolff said Verstappen's "horror show" at Red Bull fuels his criticism of the 2026 regulations, noting the car's difficulty in qualifying.
- Max Verstappen called the new 2026 cars a "joke" and likened the racing to "Mario Kart" after retiring from the Chinese Grand Prix due to a power unit cooling problem while running sixth.
- Lewis Hamilton described the 2026 racing as "the best racing that I've ever experienced in Formula 1" after battling Charles Leclerc for a podium in Shanghai.
- Laurent Mekies admitted Red Bull's current package has "significant shortcomings" after Verstappen's poor results in Melbourne and Shanghai, but expects the team to be more competitive at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
- The 2026 power units feature a 50‑50 split between internal combustion and electric power, forcing drivers to lift‑and‑coast and manage battery limits for overtaking.
- Verstappen complained about tyre degradation and start‑line battery issues that caused him to lose positions off the grid and retire from the Shanghai Grand Prix.
- Stefano Domenicali was spoken to by Wolff, who said "all the indicators" show fans love the new racing, despite driver challenges.
Why it matters: Drivers’ backlash underscores how the 50‑50 hybrid formula is reshaping racecraft, rewarding teams that master battery management while penalising those like Red Bull still grappling with tyre wear and start‑line power loss. Fans, meanwhile, appear to enjoy the resulting overtakes, giving Mercedes a narrative edge even as Red Bull works to close the gap before Japan.
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