Red Bull star Max Verstappen and McLaren driver Lando Norris bashed the new generation F1 cars after qualifying at the 2026 Australian GP. Former F1 champion Damon Hill took to the social media platform X and reacted to the driver’s criticism of the 2026 F1 car.

F1 drivers and teams have been critical of the new regulations, as it has made the sport a lot more about managing the battery. Rather than pushing the car to the limit to find the extra tenth, it’s become all about the optimal way to regenerate the battery and then deploy it in the most efficient manner.

Max Verstappen came out during the Bahrain preseason F1 test and bashed the new generation F1 cars, calling them Formula E on steroids. Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso supported the Dutchman’s claims, suggesting even the cook at Aston Martin could drive the cars through the corner, given how slow they’re going to regenerate energy.

After the 2026 Australian GP qualifying, Verstappen and Lando Norris came out and took another shot at the new generation cars.

“I’m definitely not having fun at all with these cars. You can make up your mind, but if you look at the onboard, you see enough, right?” said Max Verstappen

Lando Norris said, “We’ve come from the best cars ever, and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst.”

As these quotes were shared on social media platform X, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill quoted the tweet and dropped a two-word reaction, which was,

“Oh dear 😬”

Lando Norris was nearly a second off George Russell’s pole position timing, whereas Max Verstappen crashed out in Q1 following an issue with the software locking up his rear tires and sending him into the barrier.

Max Verstappen bamboozled after Australian GP qualifying crash

After a couple of preparation laps in Q1, Max Verstappen started his first flying lap. However, even before reaching the first corner, the Dutchman was facing the wrong way and ended up crashing into the barrier.

The rear of the RB22 locked up as Verstappen came off the gas and hit the brake. This caused the Red Bull to spin around, jump across the gravel trap, before slamming into the barrier. Speaking about the incident, Verstappen said,

“I just hit the brakes and suddenly the rear axle just completely locked out of the blue. I don’t know why that happened or how that happened I’ve never experienced something like that before in my career. The rear axle just completely locked on, then of course you can’t save that anymore at that speed.”

“The barrier hit was not that bad – the wheel just snapped out of my hands and that’s why I had to go to the medical centre, but all good,” he added

Max Verstappen will start the race in P20, ahead of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez, who failed to participate in qualifying after issues with their respective cars.