Audi boss Wheatley links Verstappen's 2026 criticism to Red Bull's struggles

Audi F1 Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley suggests Max Verstappen's vocal criticism of the 2026 regulations is heavily influenced by Red Bull's on-track difficulties this season. While Verstappen has labeled the new formula "anti-racing," other drivers like Lewis Hamilton found recent races highly enjoyable, highlighting a split in driver sentiment. Wheatley, who knows Verstappen well from their time at Red Bull, indicates the reigning champion's frustration stems from his current competitive position rather than the racing product itself.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's stark criticism, calling the 2026 cars a "joke" akin to "Mario Kart," represents a significant public relations challenge for Formula 1 as it enters a new technical era. The divergence of opinion among top drivers—between those struggling and those enjoying close racing—creates a complex narrative for the sport's governing bodies to manage while trying to refine the rules.

The details:

• Verstappen has been scathing in his assessment, stating the racing is "terrible" and that fans who enjoy it "don't understand racing," citing an over-reliance on energy deployment that creates a pass-and-be-passed dynamic on straights.
• In contrast, Lewis Hamilton described his battle with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in China as one of the most enjoyable of his career, with Wheatley noting both Ferrari drivers found it a "brilliant day."
• Wheatley directly connected Verstappen's viewpoint to his circumstances: "I think you can understand Max's comments and that's because of where he finds himself," implying Red Bull's lack of dominance this year colors his perspective.
• The FIA faces calls to address specific issues, including safety concerns over erratic car starts and driver frustration with the need to harvest energy even during qualifying laps, which dampens excitement in fast corners.
• Audi, which entered F1 specifically for the 2026 power unit formula, is actively engaging with the FIA. The team tested potential solutions in Bahrain and has expressed willingness to support regulatory fine-tuning during the April break.

What's next:

The FIA is expected to utilize the long break between Japan and Miami to analyze data and consider potential tweaks to the 2026 regulations. With a major stakeholder like Audi publicly offering its support for the process, there is a pathway for iterative improvements. However, reconciling the starkly different experiences of drivers at the front and in the midfield will be a key challenge in shaping the future of the formula.