Max Verstappen said he feels “completely empty” about the new 2026 Formula 1 cars after a frustrating qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion explained that he is not enjoying driving the new cars and feels they are very different from previous F1 machines.
He said the current regulations make it difficult to drive naturally because drivers must focus heavily on managing energy and systems rather than simply racing.
Verstappen even compared the new cars to “Formula E on steroids,” suggesting the strong focus on electric energy and battery management has changed the feeling of Formula 1.
His comments came after a difficult start to the race weekend, including a crash during qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix.
Despite his criticism, Verstappen admitted that the new rules are already in place and it is now too late to reverse the direction of Formula 1’s technical changes.