Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has insisted he is “motivated” for the new F1 season, despite revealing concerns over the sport’s new regulations.
Verstappen, speaking in Bahrain on Thursday at the second of three test events set up to give teams and drivers a chance to adapt to the new car, said he did not find the car very enjoyable to drive.
But McLaren’s rival and current world champion Lando Norris counters that he is enjoying the challenge of a completely new set of challengers, adding: “Any driver can go find something else to do. He doesn’t have to be here, it doesn’t mean any driver has to be here.”
In what is widely considered to be the biggest regulation change in the history of the sport, F1 introduced a new chassis and power unit with a focus on becoming more sustainable.
The new engine relies more on electrical energy than the previous generation, requiring drivers to charge the battery using new technology to achieve optimal lap times.
“As a driver, it doesn’t feel very F1-like. It’s a bit like Formula E on steroids,” Verstappen said.
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Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz takes a closer look at what F1 will look like in 2026 as the sport launches a new era of charging modes, more power, new teams and engine suppliers
“But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with it. And it’s not my problem either, because I’m all for that, equality of opportunity, so I don’t care about that.”
“But as a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out, but I can’t drive like that at the moment. There’s a lot going on. A lot of what you do as a driver in terms of input has a huge impact on the energy side of things.”
“And for me, it’s not F1. Maybe then I’d be better off driving Formula E, right? Because it’s all about energy, efficiency and management. Because that’s what they stand for.”
“Yeah, driving wise is not that much fun. But at the same time I know what’s at stake, looking at the team, our own engine and the excitement of the people. Of course, when I’m sitting in the car, I’m always going to do my best. They know that. But the level of excitement to drive is not as high.”
Although Verstappen has expressed concerns about the technology, he said he and Red Bull have extra motivation given that they are building their own engine for the first time since joining Red Bull in 2005.
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Watch highlights from day two of the first Bahrain pre-season test.
In last month’s shakedown in Barcelona and the previous two-day shakedown in Bahrain, the engine appears to have performed much better than most in the paddock expected.
Verstappen told Sky Sports F1: “I can’t really say what’s good or bad, but I think the positive is that we haven’t collapsed and everyone is very proud of the whole project, because it’s huge.”
“It’s not easy to get it right. We’re heading in the right direction. Everyone is understandably very motivated to get this project off the ground. We’re learning a lot every day.”
‘It’s a good, fun challenge’ – Norris disputes Verstappen’s views on new car
Disagreeing with Verstappen’s comments after Thursday’s run, 2025 champion Norris said he found the new challengers to be “a lot of fun” and quipped: “So you can retire if you want to.”
Norris added: “Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a little better to drive, sometimes it’s not so good to drive.”
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Lando Norris says his McLaren couldn’t keep up with Ferrari’s pace on second day of testing in Bahrain
“We get paid a ridiculous amount of money to drive so at the end of the day we can’t complain. Any driver can go find something else to do. It’s not like he has to be here or any driver has to be here.
“It’s a challenge, but it’s a good, fun challenge for engineers and drivers.
“It’s different. You have to drive in a different way, understand things in a different way, manage things in a different way. But I still get to drive a car and travel around the world and it’s a lot of fun, so I have no complaints.”
Reflecting on the first few weeks of testing the car, Norris said: “We’re in the early stages of the regulations, which are meant to be quite slow. But if we fast forward to the end of this year and go to next year, we’ll probably be much faster by then.”
“Everyone can have their own opinion, have their own opinion, say what they want and decide. No one should complain about it or get angry about it. Every driver has his opinion. He didn’t like it, but I like it.”
Verstappen: “A good driver will be able to adapt”
Verstappen also explained that his concerns about the new car did not come from fear that he or other top drivers would not be able to adapt.
He added: “Typically in the history of the sport, the fastest or best drivers usually end up winning championships or ending up on the best teams.
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Watch highlights from the first day of Bahrain pre-season testing
“But I think all good drivers can adapt to it. That’s not the point, it’s just that the whole way of racing is changing, it’s not very clear.”
“A good driver will always come out on top, and of course someone who is a little more capable in terms of going fast will probably come out on top.
“But that’s not what I’m trying to say. That’s not my concern either, because it’s just the general driving experience.”
Sky Sports F1 Bahrain test schedule
Test 1: Friday, February 13th
3pm: Final Hours of Track Driving Live 8pm: Test Lap 8:30pm: Ted’s Test Notebook
Test 2: Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th February
6:50am to 11:05am: Morning session live 11:55am to 4:10pm: Afternoon session live 8pm: Test lap
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, including the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
