Max Verstappen “in a horror show” – Toto Wolff responds to 2026 F1 criticism

Wolff says Red Bull's F1 car looks ‘horrendous’ to drive based on onboard footage, and thinks Verstappen’s criticism of the new rules is partly linked to the situation at his team

After the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen once again voiced his strong dissatisfaction with the new Formula 1 regulations. The Dutchman said that fans who enjoy this type of on-track action “don't understand racing” and that the new ruleset is fundamentally flawed.

“It’s not fun at all. It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing,” he claimed after the race.

Lift and coast hard to accept for ‘full attack guy’ Verstappen

The Mercedes team boss added that the race in Shanghai was actually quite entertaining, especially due to the battle between both Ferraris and George Russell.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Photo by: Martin Keep / AFP via Getty Images

“From an entertainment perspective, I believe that what we've seen today between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing – many overtakes.

“We were all part of Formula 1 when there was no overtaking, literally. Sometimes we're too nostalgic about the good old years, but I think the product is good in itself. We saw quite some racing in the midfield also, and that is, I think, the positive.”

Wolff does acknowledge that certain aspects of the 2026 regulations can be improved – including lift and coast in qualifying. That looked particularly painful during qualifying in Melbourne, where drivers lost a lot of speed towards Turn 9 due to super clipping.

“Now, from a driver's standpoint, when it comes to the balls-out qualifying lap, that is different. Clearly, lift and coast in qualifying, I'm sure for someone like Max, who is a full attack guy, it's difficult to cope and digest.

“But it's more, I would say, a car-specific issue that kind of magnifies the problem. Because if you sit in front of a TV or in front of a screen, even Max would say that was interesting racing in the front.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Lars Baron / Getty Images

“All the data say that fans love it”

After the Australian Grand Prix, Wolff already said that the opinions of drivers ultimately – certainly for F1 boss Stefano Domenicali – are secondary to what fans think. And in that respect, the Mercedes team boss says the early signals are positive.

“Qualifying flat-out would be nice. But when you look at the fans and the excitement that is there live, the cheering when there are overtakes, and also on social media, the younger fans, the vast majority through all the demographics likes the sport at the moment.

“So, yes, we can always look at how we're improving it. But at the moment, all the indicators say, and all the data say, that people love it. And that's why I spoke with Stefano, he says that too. So it is driving the car that, for some, is not most pleasant.”