The four-time world champion was heavily critical of the new 2026 cars and regulations

Max Verstappen has blasted F1’s new car regulations, describing them as ‘anti-racing’ and likening the sport to Formula E.

The Dutch Red Bull Racing star spoke during the second day of pre-season testing from Bahrain while team-mate Isack Hadjar was on track, and was heavily critical of the direction which the sport has taken over the winter.

The new regulations will see a shift in focus towards energy usage and deployment from the power units, a step away from out-and-out racing which Verstappen said he much preferred.

Likening the new spec cars to the all-electric Formula E, Verstappen admitted his future may lie away from the sport which he said is ‘stuck’ with these types of cars for the foreseeable future.

"It's not always the nicest thing to say, but I also want to be realistic as a driver, the feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids.

"As a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat-out. And at the moment, you cannot drive like that. There's a lot going on. A lot of what you do as a driver in terms of inputs have a massive effect on the energy side of things.

"And for me, that's just not Formula 1, because then maybe it's better to drive Formula E, right? Because that's all about energy, efficiency and management. That's what they stand for.

"Driving-wise, it's not so fun. But at the same time, I also know what is at stake with the team, with our own engine. And seeing the excitement of the people, of course, when I sit in the car, I will always give it my very best. They know that.

"[But the] excitement level is not so high. And to drive. It needs to be fun to drive as well, at this stage of my career. I am course also exploring other things outside of Formula 1 to have fun at. I know that we're stuck with this regulation for quite a while. So let's see."

"I just want normal driving," he continued. "How it should be, without having to [think], 'Ooh if I brake a bit longer or less or more or one gear up or down', stuff like that, that it so heavily impacts the performance on the straights.

"It is, I would say a big step back from how it was."