Last Updated on January 21 2026, 11:36 am

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports commentator, Johnny Herbert, is questioning Verstappen even before the 2026 era has begun – Herbert has done it again. Even before a single competitive lap has been completed under Formula 1’s radical new 2026 regulations, the former F1 driver has already cast doubt on Max Verstappen’s future dominance, prompting renewed accusations of British bias in the UK press.

“Can I imagine the new rules not being to Max’s liking? Yes!” Herbert said, suggesting that Verstappen may not automatically thrive once Formula 1 resets its technical rulebook.

This is a familiar stance for the Briton, who has often criticised the Red Bull driver in the past, and it has resurfaced even before the new generation of cars has turned a wheel.

 

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Verstappen’s dominance ‘means nothing’ for 2026

There is no disputing Verstappen’s statistical superiority during the ground-effect era. The Dutchman has won 51 of the 92 Grands Prix held since the regulations were introduced, making him the most successful driver of that period by a significant margin.

However, Herbert insists that this record counts for little once the sport enters a new technical cycle.

“Max Verstappen is only human,” he said. “Yes, he’s currently the best, but that doesn’t mean he’ll always be the fastest. It depends on the car and whether you’re suited to it.”

Formula 1’s 2026 cars will be fundamentally different, being around twenty centimetres shorter and thirty kilograms lighter. They will be equipped with active aerodynamics and powered by new hybrid engines running on sustainable fuel, with a 50/50 split between combustion and electric energy. DRS will be replaced by a new overtaking and boost system.

 

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Hamilton is used as a warning example

To underline his point, Herbert points to Lewis Hamilton’s experience as a cautionary tale.

When ground-effect cars were introduced in 2022, Hamilton went from being a regular title contender to struggling to achieve good results. Even his high-profile move to Ferrari failed to reverse the trend, with the seven-time world champion finishing last season without a single podium — the first time this had happened in his career.

“Lewis wasn’t suited to his car and lost his speed,” said Herbert. ‘That can happen.”

The implication is clear: even the very best drivers are vulnerable when regulations change.

 

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Energy management could redefine the pecking order

The new rules are expected to place a heavy emphasis on energy management, as Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has highlighted. According to Wolff, drivers who can manage electrical deployment most effectively could gain a decisive advantage.

Herbert believes this could open the door for others.

He sees potential for Lando Norris to make a breakthrough similar to Verstappen’s after 2021, while stressing that no driver is immune to the reset.

“Formula 1 has a human side,” said Herbert. “Max, Lewis and Lando will have to adapt this year.”

 

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Questions before answers

Whether Herbert’s comments prove insightful or premature remains to be seen. But, once again, Verstappen finds himself being questioned by a British pundit long before there is any evidence on the track.

‘Can I imagine that the new rules don’t suit Max? Yes,” Herbert repeated.

For now, it is a warning and a narrative, delivered before the new era has even begun.

 

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NEXT ARTICLE – Max Verstappen responds to furious F1 fans: “I haven’t changed; my role has”

Between early 2022 and mid-2024, Max Verstappen produced one of the most dominant performances in the history of Formula 1. During this time, the Red Bull driver won an impressive 41 out of 54 races, achieving a win rate of 75.9%.

These results led to four consecutive world championships and firmly established Verstappen as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Yet for all his success, universal admiration never followed.

 

Dominance breeds contempt

At several circuits around the world, he was booed, sometimes loudly and in large numbers. This reaction seemed paradoxical when viewed against the statistics. Only five drivers in Formula 1 history have won four consecutive world titles. Even Michael Schumacher, the benchmark with five consecutive championships between 2000 and 2004, did not match Verstappen’s winning percentage during his most dominant years.

However, Formula 1 is not usually a sport where success alone guarantees popularity. Dominance often breeds resistance, especially in a championship built on tension, rivalry and uncertainty. Verstappen came to symbolise an era that many fans found predictable: Red Bull was almost untouchable, races were frequently decided early on, and the driver operated on the edge of the regulations while rarely being penalised. For some, this made him the perfect antagonist.

However, that image began to change in the second half of 2024. McLaren emerged as the new benchmark, a trend that became even clearer in 2025. For the first time in years, Verstappen found himself consistently playing catch-up rather than controlling the field. At one point mid-season, he trailed the championship leader by 104 points, an unthinkable margin during Red Bull’s peak dominance.

Further, Red Bull Racing made a strategic choice. While several rivals shifted their attention early to the major regulation changes coming in 2026, Red Bull continued to develop its 2025 car. This decision slowly but surely paid off, enabling Verstappen to close the gap race by race…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY