Jos Verstappen Backs Son’s Criticism of F1 2026 Rules as Radical Regulation Tweaks Loom

Jos Verstappen admits he "switches the TV off" as he and son Max continue to slam the "fundamentally wrong" 2026 F1 regulations ahead of the Miami GP.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 6:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Eroding Appeal of the Pinnacle of Motorsport

Jos Verstappen has issued a blunt critique of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations, suggesting the sport has lost the essential DNA that once made it the undisputed peak of racing. Speaking to RaceXpress, the former Benetton and Arrows driver expressed a growing apathy toward the current format, noting that he occasionally stops watching broadcasts because the spectacle no longer resonates with him. Verstappen Sr. argued that the heavy reliance on complex energy recovery systems has shifted the focus away from raw driver talent. According to his assessment, the current cars have reached a point where even the most elite competitors struggle to find the technical "difference" in high-speed sectors, such as the iconic curves of Suzuka.

A Father’s Perspective on the Loss of Driver Agency

The central grievance voiced by the Verstappen camp focuses on the diminishing ability of a driver to influence a race outcome through skill alone. Jos Verstappen lamented the fact that modern GT3 racing, once considered a secondary discipline, now offers a more engaging competitive product than Formula 1. He pointed specifically to the limitations imposed by the 2026 battery systems, which require drivers to manage energy deployment rather than attacking corners with the aggression typical of previous eras. This shift has led to a scenario where braking zones and fast corners are dictated more by software parameters than by a driver’s intuition or bravery.

Emergency Legislative Shifts Ahead of Miami

In response to widespread discontent from drivers and teams, the FIA confirmed a series of technical amendments on Monday following a summit with Formula One Management and power unit manufacturers. These adjustments, primarily targeting energy management and safety protocols, are intended to address the "fundamental" flaws Max Verstappen highlighted during pre-season testing. While the details of the "Miami Update" aim to improve the racing product, the four-time world champion remains skeptical. The younger Verstappen recently suggested that these tweaks are merely cosmetic fixes for a set of rules that he believes are conceptually broken.