Source:REUTERS/ Jakub Porzycki
[Saba Sports News] During the 2026 F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen criticized the new regulations, describing the 2026 cars as a “beefed-up Formula E”. He argued that the new rules rely too heavily on energy management and have altered power delivery characteristics, going against the essence of F1 and being “anti-racing”. However, Mercedes driver George Russell recently addressed Verstappen’s comments in a media interview. He disagreed with Verstappen’s characterization of the electrification push, instead believing the new rules offer significant benefits: the cars are lighter, smaller, more agile and more comfortable to drive. They will also attract new manufacturers like Audi and Honda, which is crucial for F1’s long-term development.
In our view, the new regulations are still in their early stages, and the cars have not been fully optimized—their true value remains to be seen. We understand Verstappen’s passion for pure racing, while also agreeing with Russell’s rational perspective. After all, F1 cannot stay stuck in the past; it must evolve with the times and balance the expectations of different stakeholders.