Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has hit out at Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for his complaints against the new car regulations in the Formula 1 2026 season, as the four-time world champion struggles to make an early impact. The biggest rule change requires a 50-50 power split between the internal combustion (ICE) and electrical energy.

The 28-year-old Verstappen has been one of the most impacted drivers as he was forced to retire at the Chinese Grand Prix and came sixth in the opening Australian GP.

“It’s terrible,” an angry Verstappen said after the race in Shanghai on Sunday. “If someone likes this, then you really don’t know what racing is like. Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing and I would say the same if I would be winning races because I care about the racing product.”

Wolff hits out at Verstappen over car complaints

Mercedes, meanwhile, are leading the charts, winning both races and also securing the second spot in Melbourne and Shanghai. Their 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli secured his first F1 race win at the Chinese Grand Prix.

And Mercedes chief Wolff has hit out at Verstappen over his complaints, saying that Max’s reactions are more a result of his frustration and a poor Red Bull car rather than the changes in the rules. He added that new engines have also been producing entertaining races.

“Max is really, I think, in a horror show,” Wolff said. “When you look at the onboard he has in qualifying, this is just horrendous to drive.”

“From an entertainment perspective, I believe what we’ve seen between Ferrari and Mercedes was good racing, many overtakes. We were all part of Formula One when there was no overtaking. Sometimes we’re too nostalgic about the good old years, but the product is good in itself. We saw quite some racing in the midfield also and that is the positive.”

Lewis Hamilton has also agreed with his former boss Wolff, as he said that the Chinese Grand Prix was “the best racing I’ve ever experienced in Formula One”.

Hamilton and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc were involved in an intense race in Shanghai with overtaking and some exciting wheel-to-wheel driving.

For the unversed, F1 was willing to make some adjustments to the rules to address the complaints from some of the drivers, but after a successful Chinese GP, there’s no guarantee any major change would be brought in.

In any case, no change would be made before the Japanese Grand Prix, which will take place in two weeks. They could be implemented at the Miami Grand Prix in May, as
no races are taking place in April due to the war in West Asia.

The new season of Formula 1 gets underway this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix set to take place at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit on Sunday. And for the first time in five years, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will not be starting the season as the defending champion, with
McLaren’s Lando Norris having beaten the Dutchman by just two points in the thrilling season-ending race in Abu Dhabi to win his maiden world title.

The 2026 F1 season will also mark the beginning of a new era, with the cars in the elite single-seater racing competition undergoing a major overhaul, especially when it comes to the chassis and engines, with focus on energy management.

Hamilton and Verstappen slam new F1 rules

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen – who have a total of 11 F1 world titles between them – aren’t exactly in an upbeat state of mind heading into the new Formula 1 season, and it has everything to do with FIA’s new rules that will be enforced this year.

Hamilton, who will be eyeing a record-breaking eighth world title this year after enduring a poor debut with Scuderia in 2025, had described the new rules as “ridiculously complex”, even claiming that F1 fans might need a university degree to fully understand them.

“None of the fans are going to understand it, I don’t think. It’s so complex,” Hamilton had told ESPN during the pre-season testing in Bahrain last month. “It’s ridiculously complex. I sat in a meeting the other day and they’re taking us through it. It’s ike you need a degree to fully understand it all.”

Verstappen had seconded Hamilton’s sensational statement,
describing it as “Formula E on steroids” after taking the new car for a spin during the pre-season testing.

“To drive (they are) not a lot of fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management. It’s not very Formula One-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids,” the four-time world champion had said last month.

“A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things. For me, that’s just not Formula 1. Maybe it’s then better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy, efficiency and management,” he added.

What are the key changes in F1 2026? 

A key change in F1’s regulations this year is the introduction of battery management with drivers now having multiple power modes at their disposal for the duration of a race.

Among the new power modes is the Overtake Mode, a battery-boosted system that replaces the old Drag Reduction System – a driver-controlled device that opens a flap on the rear wing to reduce aerodynamic drag and helps in overtaking by boosting straight-line speed. Drivers can also gain a boost in power upto 350KW through the Boost mode, but will also have to recover it through the Recharge mode – both features being controlled by the electrical system.

Another major change is in the engines, with the new hybrid versions now have an equal split in power between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical energy. The 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids will be producing close to 1,000bhp, and while the split between the ICE and the electrical unit was 80-20 until the last season, it will be nearly equal starting this year.

These are FIVE of the key changes in this season’s technical regulations! 💪🔧#F1 pic.twitter.com/nM1XbJqwM6

— Formula 1 (@F1) January 23, 2026

And while the FIA has decided to do away with DRS, cars will have the front as well as rear wings opening on a straight and closing through corners  and will be available to drivers at all times.

The fuel additionally, will have to be certified as 100 per cent sustainable by the FIA going forward. Teams can either use synthetic fuel made using sustainably sourced hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide, or a biofuel.

It remains to be seen how the new rules affect the standings in the season opener that takes place on Sunday at 9.30 IST.

All you need to know about 2026 Formula 1 season

Here’s the full list of teams and their drivers in action in the 77th season of the Formula One World Championship:

Saying hello 👋

This is the class of F1 in 2026 👊#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/O3kNiSjhap

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 6, 2026

Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Cadillac: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton

Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman

McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli

Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad

Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar

Here’s the full schedule for the upcoming season:

8 March: Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Circuit

15 March: Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit

29 March: Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit

12 April: Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit

19 April: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Street Circuit

3 May: Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome

24 May: Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

7 June: Monaco Grand Prix at Circuit de Monaco

14 June: Barcelona Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

28 June: Austrian Grand Prix at Red Bull Ring, Spielberg.

5 July: British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire

19 July: Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps

26 July: Hungarian Grand Prix at Hungaroring

23 August: Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort

6 September: Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza

13 September: Spanish Grand Prix at Circuito de Madring

26 September: Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit

11 October: Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit

25 October: United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas

1 November: Mexico City Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

8 November: Brazilian Grand Prix at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Interlagos

22 November: Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Street Circuit

29 November: Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit

6 December: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit

Where can I watch the 2026 Formula 1 season live? 

Formula 1 fans in India can watch the 2026 season live on the Fancode website and application, or on the official F1 TV platform. Subscription prices on FanCode vary from Rs 99 for a Race Weekend Pass to Rs 1,499 for an Unlimited Live Stream Pass for the entire year.

F1 TV, on the other hand, offers three subscriptions that are priced at USD 19.99 (approximately Rs 1,840), USD 29.99 (approximately Rs 2,760) and USD 39.99 (approximately Rs 3,680) respectively.

At a boardroom in Greater Noida, not far from where India once hosted Formula One, Arvid Lindblad walked into a room full of journalists and answered questions the way he drives – quickly, precisely, without wasted motion.

There was no theatrical pause before his debut season. No exaggerated proclamations about destiny. Just clarity. At 18, on the cusp of stepping onto the Formula One grid, Briton Lindblad,
who has roots in India, spoke with the composure of someone who has long rehearsed this moment in his mind.

“My whole life, the dream was to get to Formula One. So the fact that it’s coming true is obviously very exciting. And the fact that I’m the only rookie is not really something I’d pay much attention to. Thinking about that, it’s not going to make me go any faster or slower, so I just focus on driving,” Lindblad, whose maternal Grandparents hail from Punjab, told a select group of journalists before Red Bull’s Moto Jam 2026.

It was an answer delivered at pace, like he was out for a trial lap on fresh tyres, but beneath it sat a matured philosophy. If it doesn’t make him faster, it doesn’t matter.

The burden of Lindblad’s big decisions at 18

Soon, much of the conversation in the large room drifted toward something that rarely gets explored in motorsport – what it means to make adult decisions as a teenager. From contracts, teams, advisors to career-defining calls, all taken while most people his age are still choosing university subjects.

Even here, Lindblad didn’t dramatise anything. He was quick, but also spoke from the heart and with clarity.

“Yeah, I think it’s an interesting point you make,” he said in response to a question from Firstpost. “I mean, it’s not really something I’ve dwelled on too much, but for sure, coming through the ranks at a younger age, I have had to spend a bit more time on my own. But I don’t know, I think I’ve got a very good team around me, you know, my sort of personal team, but also with Red Bull, I mean, that’s a big part of Red Bull’s role.

Here’s more @tedkravitz x Arvid Lindblad in New Delhi content pic.twitter.com/Ymipm6HOLb

— Desi Racing Co (@DesiRacingco) March 1, 2026

“You know, when I joined the programme, they helped a lot with sort of managing my career, deciding what teams to go with and all these kinds of things. So for me, it was never really something that I dwelled on too much or took too much of my headspace because I knew that was being looked after and they had my best interests at heart. And I know, yeah, with them and my parents, they were discussing it.”

It’s clear by now that even at such a young age, Lindblad understands the value of a team. There’s never an attempt to highlight his own brilliance, but only humbleness to accept that he is a product of a process and system. And perhaps that is what makes him appear older than 18, and that’s why he can be good even in his debut season.

Entering F1’s new era

Meanwhile, Lindblad’s debut coincides with sweeping technical changes. New power units and less downforce. For a rookie, that could be troubling. For him, it seems like a puzzle.

“Obviously, they’re very different. The car itself is just a bit less grip, but it’s not super different, you know, there’s just a bit less downforce. But the engine, I’d say, is probably the biggest change for me. Obviously, it’s very new. I’ve never really experienced a change like this because in the junior categories, it never really happens. So you know, just trying to work through all the problems to try to improve everything.”

“The 2025 car last year was very fast and it was really very impressive to drive. It was a big step up from F2 for sure. Now there is less of a step just because the cars are slower. I don’t know, I haven’t really got an opinion. I’m kind of just driving to what I’ve got. You could argue it’s easier because it’s slower, but I think it’s much more complicated now because there’s a lot more new elements, a lot more things you have to be aware of while driving.”

Learning from the best

Inevitably, the conversation turned to the drivers he grew up watching. On Lewis Hamilton, his answer carried the warmth of a childhood admirer.

“Yeah, Lewis was the one whom I’d say I sort of looked up to a bit more growing up. I haven’t sort of seen him that much, to be honest. I think the only thing was last year I played Uno with him, which was quite a cool moment for me.”

On Max Verstappen, Lindblad was analytical. “I think Max, as everyone knows, is extremely impressive. I think the level that he’s performing at the moment is arguably the best we’ve ever seen in Formula One! I think what he’s able to do week in week out is extremely impressive and I think there’s a lot I can learn from him.”

Bringing India back to F1 grid

Perhaps the most emotional moment of the interaction came when Lindblad spoke about his Indian roots. In Greater Noida – a region that once hosted the Indian Grand Prix – the resonance was obvious.

“I mean, obviously, it’s something (Indian roots) I’m very proud of. I’ve really enjoyed it over the past couple of years when I’ve come to India. My grandparents are from India, from the Punjab region. They moved to the UK and I’ve been brought up with many of the Indian traditions and the general culture. Eating Indian food and celebrating poojas, all these kinds of things, from an early age. So for me, when I come to India, it’s always been very exciting, even just to see how similar my upbringing was. So be sure it’s something I’m very proud of.

WHAT. A. MOMENT. 🇮🇳 @redbullindia #F1 #VCARB #RedBullMotoJam pic.twitter.com/jCCv3XAlON

— Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visacashapprb) March 1, 2026

“There has been noise about bringing India back to the F1 grid. See, I’m looking forward.”

That was it. Lindbald didn’t have anymore time than a little over 10 minutes to continue the insightful conversation. But you can imagine how clear he is in his thoughts, as he explained all his ideas so clearly in such a short time. And if he drives anything as he speaks, Red Bull-owned Racing Bulls have a potential superstar in their car.

Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has launched a scathing attack on the new breed of F1 cars after the second day of testing in Bahrain on Thursday. The 28-year-old Dutchman, who had missed out on a fifth consecutive world title by just two points in December, described the new Formula One cars as “anti-racing” and “Formula E on steroids”.

Verstappen labels new F1 cars as ’not very Formula One-like’

Verstappen had clocked the second-fastest time of the day on Wednesday, the opening day of first leg of pre-season testing in Bahrain, running 136 laps around the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

He was, however, less than impressed by the rule changes this year that have led to a complete overhaul of chassis and engines for every team, with the focus now shifting to energy management.

“To drive (they are) not a lot of fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management. It’s not very Formula One-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids,” Verstappen said in his first press conference of the year.

“But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that. 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, has a massive effect on the energy side of things. For me, that’s just not Formula 1. Maybe it’s then better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy, efficiency and management,” he added.

‘I want to be realistic as a driver’

Verstappen added that while he likes the new look of the cars, everything else about them feels “anti-racing” to him. At the same time, he sounded somewhat sympathetic when discussing engineers and designers who have had to deal with the new regulations.

“Honestly, the proportion of the car looks good, I think. That’s not the problem. It’s just everything else that is a bit, for me, anti-racing,” he continued.

“On the other hand, I also know how much work has been going on in the background, also from the engine side, for the guys.

“So, it’s not always the nicest thing to say but I also want to be realistic as a driver,” Verstappen added.

The second leg of the pre-season testing will also take place in Bahrain. The 2026 season then gets underway in the first week of March with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.