Verstappen criticizes F1 2026 cars as 'not fun' after crash in Mercedes-dominated qualifying

Max Verstappen has launched a fresh, scathing critique of Formula 1's new 2026 cars, labeling them fundamentally flawed and "not fun at all," following a sudden crash in the season-opening qualifying session dominated by Mercedes. The incident, caused by a bizarre rear-axle lock-up, sent him into the wall and left him with a wrist injury scare, further souring his outlook on the current state of the sport.

Why it matters:

As a reigning four-time world champion, Verstappen's vocal dissatisfaction carries significant weight. His blunt assessment that the new technical "formula is just not correct" represents a major credibility problem for F1's latest rule cycle, intended to improve racing. When a star driver openly questions the core product, it puts pressure on the FIA and teams to consider mid-cycle adjustments to retain driver engagement and fan excitement.

The details:

• Verstappen's crash occurred at the start of a flying lap in Q1 when the rear axle of his car unexpectedly locked, sending him into the Turn 1 barrier. He described the sensation as something he had "never experienced" in his career.
• The impact jolted his wrists, prompting a visit to the medical centre for scans, though he was later cleared.
• Beyond the crash, his frustration is rooted in the car's driving dynamics. He criticized the current speed traces and suggested fixes would only make the cars slower, not better to drive.
• Verstappen was also irked that his critical comments from a private drivers' briefing were leaked to the media, calling it "not very professional."
• On performance, he pointed to a concerning eight-tenths-of-a-second gap to the Mercedes-powered cars in qualifying, emphasizing that Red Bull's goal is to win, not settle for midfield positions.

What's next:

Verstappen's comments set the stage for a tense and potentially long season, both on and off the track.

• While F1 is open to in-season tweaks on energy deployment, Verstappen is skeptical of short-term fixes, believing fundamental changes are needed.
• His warning that "it's going to be a long season" underscores the challenge ahead for Red Bull to close the performance gap to Mercedes.
• The incident and his continued public criticism will keep the spotlight on the 2026 cars' drivability and whether the governing body will respond to the drivers' mounting concerns.