Max Verstappen has dismissed the recent Formula 1 rule adjustments as “just a tickle,” arguing they don’t go far enough to address his concerns about the 2026 regulations.
The FIA introduced these technical tweaks during the April break to allow drivers to push harder in qualifying without excessive battery management.
While the Red Bull champion appreciates the improved communication between drivers and officials, he believes the core issues of the new era remain unresolved.
Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the 2026 rulebook, previously suggesting that the heavy focus on energy management feels more like “Formula E” than F1.
The new rules aim to reduce speed differentials during wheel-to-wheel duels, but Verstappen expects the overall competitive picture to remain largely unchanged.
Drivers had expressed frustration over having to save energy during qualifying laps, prompting the FIA to intervene ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
Despite the skepticism, the Miami race will be the first real-world test to see if these “tickles” improve the quality of racing on track.
