Is a penalty for Max Verstappen likely? After narrowly missing out on a fifth world title last season, Max Verstappen began the 2026 campaign determined to fight back. However, just two races into the new season, the Dutchman finds himself under pressure and is becoming increasingly vocal about his frustrations.
The opening rounds have been far from ideal for the Red Bull driver. At the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 8 March, Verstappen could only manage sixth place, a result that fell well short of expectations for a driver of his calibre.
A difficult start to 2026
Things went from bad to worse at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend, where he failed to finish altogether. After two races, Verstappen is already playing catch-up in the standings, and the early signs suggest that Red Bull may not currently have the pace to compete at the very top.
Much of that struggle appears to stem from the car itself. The team has been grappling with performance limitations under the new 2026 regulations, leaving Verstappen unable to achieve the level of competitiveness he has become accustomed to in recent years.
Verstappen: “It’s disastrous”
Unsurprisingly, Verstappen has not held back in sharing his thoughts. The four-time world champion has been openly critical of the sport’s new direction, particularly in light of the sweeping rule changes introduced between 2025 and 2026.
In a series of pointed remarks, he didn’t mince his words: “It’s disastrous,” he said, before criticising the racing product itself. Comparing Formula 1 to the popular arcade game Mario Kart, he added, “We’re playing Mario Kart; it’s not racing.”
He even joked about adapting his preparation accordingly, quipping that he had swapped his simulator for a Nintendo Switch to practise the game. While the comments were delivered with a degree of humour, the underlying frustration was unmistakable.
Backlash from Montoya
Not everyone in the paddock, or the wider motorsport world, has appreciated Verstappen’s remarks. Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya was particularly critical, suggesting that such comments could warrant disciplinary action.
“It’s normal for people to have an opinion,” Montoya acknowledged.
“I’m not saying they have to like it. But mocking Formula 1 and comparing it to Mario Kart shouldn’t be tolerated by the sport.”
He went further, calling for a firmer stance from the authorities. Drawing comparisons with American sports culture, Montoya argued that respect for Formula 1 should be enforced more strictly. Perhaps even by means of a penalty or fine.
“At some point, Formula 1 has to act like American sports,” he said. “For those who don’t respect the sport, there’s the door. They can either leave or be fined to teach them to show some respect.”
Could sanctions really follow?
While it is unlikely that Formula 1’s governing bodies will take formal action solely based on Verstappen’s comments, the situation does highlight the growing tensions within the sport. Drivers have always voiced concerns, but public criticism of this nature, especially from one of the sport’s biggest stars, inevitably draws attention.
Verstappen’s bigger issue is certainly the performance of his car, rather than potential fines from the FIA. But unless Red Bull can quickly address its shortcomings, both his frustration and the scrutiny surrounding his remarks are likely to intensify as the season progresses.
MORE F1 NEWS – Mercedes will provide Verstappen “the very best of the best” car
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NEXT ARTICLE – Formula One 2026: Entertainment or Sport?
Two race weekends down and the all new Formula One 2026 regulations have indeed had the biggest impact on the sport since its inception. As happened last time the engine rules were radically changed in 2014, it is Mercedes who have turned out on top. That said, Ferrari too have done a decent job as they sit second behind the silver arrows in the constructors’ championship.
For the rest of the field, the picture is not so rosy. If we tot up the points scored by the other nine constructors they total just four more than the Scuderia have accumulated across two races weekends.
Of course, it was expected there would be big winners and losers but presently the championships look to be a race between Ferrari and Mercedes, with the latter looking the stronger of the two.
FIA pause rule changes before Japan
The Sprint weekend in China happens to have settled some of the nerves up and down the paddock, as the expected emergency rule changes before Japan in less than two weeks time have been put on hold. Concerns remain that the disparity of performance between a car out of electrical power and one using its electrical boost systems are creating huge speed differentials which could result in a massive accident.
Then there’s the unwanted spectacle of drivers ‘going slow, to go fast’ in qualifying and the much criticised need to ‘lift and coast’ when in previous generations the cars would be flat out approaching a corner.
Unsurprisingly, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes on the whole the new regulations are working well, but given his drivers have won all three races to date, why would he say otherwise? “Qualifying flat-out would be nice. But when you look at the fans and the…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
