Verstappen's Struggles and Driver Moves Headline F1 News

Max Verstappen's difficult start to the 2026 season continues to dominate headlines, with the reigning champion facing criticism, defending his position, and being the subject of speculation about his eventual successor. Meanwhile, former Alpine junior Jack Doohan has secured a new racing future outside of Formula 1.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's unexpected slump and vocal frustration with the new-generation cars signal a potential power shift in F1, raising questions about Red Bull's competitiveness and the champion's own motivation. Concurrently, the news of Doohan's move highlights the challenging pathway for drivers on the F1 periphery, forcing talent to seek opportunities in other premier racing series.

The details:

• Verstappen's Tough Start: The four-time champion is ninth in the standings after three races, yet to finish in the top five. He has insisted people should not "feel sorry" for him despite the uncharacteristic results.
• Criticism from Pundits: Former driver Martin Brundle has labeled Verstappen's persistent complaints about the 2026 cars' heavy energy management focus as "boring," brushing off the champion's vocal disappointment.
• Successor Speculation: Ex-F1 driver Johnny Herbert has named a driver he believes is most likely to replace Verstappen as the grid's benchmark performer whenever the Dutchman decides to leave the sport, though the named driver was not specified in the review.
• Doohan's New Path: Jack Doohan, released by Alpine early last season, will return to competition in the 2026 European Le Mans Series with Nielsen Racing, securing a seat after his F1 ambitions with Haas did not materialize into a race drive.
• Norris on Piastri: Lando Norris called his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri "unfortunate" not to win the Japanese Grand Prix, acknowledging the Australian's strong lead before pit stops altered the race.
• Future Circuit Progress: New images show the striking Qiddiya Speed Park Track in Saudi Arabia taking shape, featuring a unique and bizarre corner. The circuit is slated to join the F1 calendar in 2028.

What's next:

The focus will remain on whether Red Bull and Verstappen can solve their performance issues after the current break. Verstappen's comments and the external criticism will continue to be scrutinized as a barometer for his and the team's morale. For drivers like Doohan, the ELMS commitment provides a clear and competitive focus for 2026, away from the uncertain F1 driver market.