Never mind F1, Max Verstappen compares 2026 F1 cars to Formula E.

As drivers finally get to drive the new cars in anger, few have been complimentary, however, the four-time world champion's criticism has been the strongest yet.

Having driven the RB22 in Barcelona and now Bahrain, Verstappen was asked his opinion.

"Not a lot of fun, to be honest," he replied. "I would say the right word is management.

"As a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like," he continued. "It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.

"But the rules are the same for everyone," he admitted, "so you have to deal with that. And that's also not my problem, because I'm all for that. Equal chances, I don't mind that. But as a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat-out, and at the moment, you cannot drive like that. There's a lot going on.

"A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things," he explained. "For me, that's just not Formula 1. Maybe it's better to drive Formula E, right? Because that's all about energy efficiency and management. That's what they stand for.

"Driving-wise, it's not so fun," he sighed. "But at the same time, I also know what is at stake with the team, with our own engine. And seeing the excitement of the people. So, of course, when I sit in the car, I will always give it my very best. They know that. But the excitement level is not so high."

Thankfully, it's not all bad.

"I mean, I like the livery, the livery is great," he said. "The car looks great, honestly, the proportion of the car looks good, I think. That's not the problem. It's just everything else that is a bit, for me, anti-racing.

"Probably people will not be happy with me saying this right now," he admitted. "But I am outspoken, and why am I not allowed to say what I think of my race car? I can't help that. I mean, I didn't write the regulation. If it was, I think, up to non-political aspects of making a regulation, I think the car, probably the engine, whatever, would have looked very different. But yeah, that's how it is."

At a time rivals are claiming the Red Bull to be the favourite heading to Melbourne, he said: "A winning car for me, that doesn't matter. It needs to be fun to drive as well.

"I think at this stage of my career. I mean, I am of course also exploring other things outside of Formula 1 to have fun at, but I know that we're stuck with this regulation for quite a while. So, let's see."

Told of Verstappen's reaction to the new cars, Lando Norris had some friendly advice.

"I had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it," he said. "So, if he wants to retire he can retire.

"Formula 1 changes all the time," he added, "sometimes it's a bit better to drive, sometimes not as good to drive. But we get paid a stupid amount of money to drive so you can't really complain at the end of the day.

"Any driver can go and find something else to do, you know? It's not like he has to be here or any driver has to be here. It's a challenge but it's a good fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers. It's different, you have to drive it in a different way and understand things differently and manage things differently. But you still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun. So, no nothing to complain about."

Despite his rival's unease with the new cars, Norris expects Verstappen to battle as hard as ever.

"I don't expect Max is going to go out and not give a s**t, you know?" he said. "He's going to try and win and Max is never going to not try, he's just not going to smile as much maybe, I guess that might be the case.

"It certainly doesn't feel as quick as the past few years and it certainly doesn't handle as perfectly," he said of the cars, "but I'm sure if he came into this and this was the F1 car he started driving then he probably would say it's amazing.

"Comparing to the older cars, it doesn't feel as pretty and beautiful to drive," he admitted, "but it's still pretty good. And it's early days, it's early days of a regulation that's meant to be a good amount slower.

"But if you fast forward to the end of this year and look ahead to next year already, we're going to be going a lot quicker by then. Anyone and everyone can make their own opinions and have their own opinions, and say and decide what they want to do. No one should complain about that or be upset about it. Every driver has their own opinions and he didn't like it and I like it.

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