Verstappen criticises current F1 cars after Tsunoda and Lawson examples – Max Verstappen has renewed his criticism of Formula 1’s current generation of cars, arguing that their limited responsiveness reduces the influence of the driver. The four-time world champion pointed to Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson’s recent performances as evidence that the cars are becoming too predictable from behind the wheel.
Verstappen has been one of the most vocal critics of the current Formula 1 regulations since their introduction. The Red Bull driver believes the cars should place greater emphasis on driver input and reward those willing to brake later, carry more speed and take greater risks through corners.
Speaking to the BBC, Verstappen explained why he believes changes to the technical regulations are necessary.
“In the history of the sport, the driver who dares the most, brakes last and accelerates earliest, has always been rewarded because you gain time in the corner. But now you’re constantly thinking: In this corner I need to hold back a bit, accelerate later or brake earlier. […] That’s so unnatural and not how it should be,” the four-time world champion said.
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Verstappen wants greater driver influence
For Verstappen, the issue is not simply that modern F1 cars are difficult to drive. Instead, he believes their characteristics restrict how much difference a driver can make once they are behind the wheel.
The Dutchman argues that Formula 1 should reward drivers who are prepared to extract the final few tenths from a car by pushing the limits in the corners.
His criticism comes as the sport continues to operate under a technical philosophy designed to improve racing and make cars more closely matched. However, Verstappen believes some of those characteristics have come at the expense of driver influence.
“These cars are deaf to driver input”
Verstappen highlighted the recent experiences of Tsunoda and Lawson as an example of what he sees as the problem.
Lawson moved from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing, while Tsunoda took Lawson’s place at the sister team. According to Verstappen, both drivers were able to adapt quickly despite changing cars.
“This isn’t meant to be disrespectful, and I hope nobody misunderstands. But look at Yuki. He jumps into the car, has never driven it before, and is immediately competitive. Liam jumps from Racing Bull to Red Bull and is immediately competitive. That’s only possible because these cars are deaf to driver input,” Verstappen said.
His point is not that the drivers themselves are unimportant. Verstappen accepts that a driver still has to deliver a strong lap and be prepared to take risks.
However, he believes the cars impose such tight limitations that the scope for a driver to significantly change the outcome is smaller than it has been historically.
Verstappen: Drivers are being “held back”
“The fastest driver will always be at the front. But it’s really, really limited, like being in a headlock or something. You’re held back,” Verstappen added.
The comments underline a fundamental difference between Verstappen’s view of Formula 1 and the direction the sport has taken with its modern regulations.
The Red Bull driver wants cars that respond more naturally to aggressive driving and allow competitors to make a greater difference through their decisions behind the wheel.
His comments are also significant because Formula 1’s technical regulations are designed to shape not only performance but also the quality of racing. Finding the right balance between predictable, close competition and cars that reward individual driver skill remains one of the sport’s biggest technical challenges.
For Verstappen, the solution is clear: the regulations need to give drivers more freedom to influence the performance of their cars rather than restricting them through characteristics that, in his view, make the cars “deaf” to their input.
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