Jos Verstappen Switches Off Formula 1 Broadcasts Amid 2026 Regulation Fury
Jos Verstappen has declared he is "switching off the TV" when watching Formula 1, citing profound dissatisfaction with the impact of the sport's new 2026 regulations. The former F1 driver and father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen expressed his disillusionment in a candid interview, highlighting a growing divide among drivers and fans over the radical changes introduced this season.
Max Verstappen's Retirement Contemplation and Scathing Criticism
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, Jos's son, has been particularly vociferous in his condemnation of the new era. He has labelled the 2026 cars as "anti-racing" and "like Formula E on steroids," voicing concerns that driver skill is being marginalised. Following the recent Japanese Grand Prix, the Red Bull star revealed he is seriously considering retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the current season, a move that would send shockwaves through the sport.
Verstappen's potential exit is compounded by the impending departure of his long-time Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who is set to join McLaren before 2028. More tellingly, Max has been enthusiastically competing in GT3 cars at the Nurburgring, preparing for next month's 24-hour endurance race at the same circuit, fuelling speculation about his future racing priorities.
Jos Verstappen's Blunt Assessment of the 2026 Rule Changes
Speaking to Racexpress, Jos Verstappen did not mince words. "It's madness to say that GT3 is a better race than Formula 1. It used to be the other way round," he stated. "All those GT3 lads were desperate to get a taste of what it's like in Formula 1, but these days that's hard to come by."
He elaborated on his personal viewing habits, admitting, "As a driver, I find it [the 2026 rules] less enjoyable too. Every now and then, I'm watching and I switch the TV off because I'm less interested. It's not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for." The core of his criticism centres on the new power units, which feature a near 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, and the chassis regulations that he believes stifle driver influence.
"The driver has to rely heavily on the car and can no longer make a difference as a driver. I think that's a shame in Formula 1," Jos explained. "Look, you have to brake late, but you can't brake too late either. Yet in fast corners, you really need to be able to make a difference, like in the first sector in Japan. You just can't do that with this car and certainly not with that battery that you have to keep recharging."
Regulatory Tweaks and Fundamental Flaws
Despite announced tweaks to the regulations, set to be enforced for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix from 1-3 May, Jos Verstappen remains sceptical. He believes the fundamental design of the 2026 rules is flawed, limiting the effectiveness of any modifications.
"The fact that we're talking [about changes to the rules] is already a step forward," he conceded. "The problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally, something is wrong. Not everyone will admit that publicly, but it's true." This sentiment echoes widespread concerns that the new era may have compromised the essence of competitive racing.
Currently, Max Verstappen sits ninth in the F1 world championship, with his Red Bull team grappling with performance issues at the start of their new in-house power unit partnership with Ford. This struggle on the track, combined with the philosophical clash over the 2026 regulations, paints a turbulent picture for the sport's immediate future, as one of its biggest stars contemplates an early exit and a legendary figure tunes out in protest.
