[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https://cdn.crash.net/2026-04/xpb_1372685_hires.jpg?width=1600&aspect_ratio=16:9″]
Why Max Verstappen’s father has ‘switched off the TV’ when watching F1 in 2026
Jos Verstappen weighs in on F1 2026’s controversial new regulations.
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, says he has resorted to “switching off the TV” when watching Formula 1 this season.
F1’s new power unit regulations for the 2026 season have divided opinion among drivers and fans, with four-time world champion Verstappen the loudest critic of the rules.
Verstappen has been left unhappy with the amount of energy management that is required with the new power units and made several disparaging remarks about the direction F1 has gone.
The rules have already been tweaked in an attempt to improve qualifying and appease driver concerns relating to their safety, though it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to keep the 28-year-old Dutchman in F1.
Verstappen Sr has joined his son in criticising the regulations, telling RaceXpress: “It’s madness to say that GT3 is a better race than Formula 1. It used to be the other way round.
“All those GT3 lads were desperate to get a taste of what it’s like in Formula 1, but these days that’s hard to come by.
“As a driver, I find it [2026-spec F1] less enjoyable too. Every now and then I’m watching and I switch the TV off because I’m less interested.
“It’s not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for. The driver has to rely heavily on the car and can no longer make a difference as a driver. I think that’s a shame in Formula 1.
“Look, you have to brake late, but you can’t brake too late either. Yet in fast corners you really need to be able to make a difference, like in the first sector in Japan.
“You just can’t do that with this car and certainly not with that battery that you have to keep recharging.”
Speaking before the changes were announced, Red Bull driver Verstappen welcomed efforts to improve the regulations.
“The fact that we’re talking [about changes to the rules] is already a step forward,” Verstappen told Viaplay last week.
“The problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally, something is wrong. Not everyone will admit that publicly, but it’s true.
“I’m just trying to adapt to it. Even though I’ll be retiring in a few years’ time, I do want it to remain a decent sport. Something has to change. In that case, I would choose to have the V10 or V8 engines brought back.”
In this article
More News
Driver dies after multi-car crash suspends NLS4 at the Nurburgring
NLS4 featuring Max Verstappen suspended after serious multi-car crash
George Russell backs F1 to survive possible Max Verstappen exit
Rare Abu Dhabi 2021 defence made for ‘scapegoat’ Michael Masi
Red Bull announces technical shake-up amid poor F1 2026 form
Max Verstappen breaks silence on Gianpiero Lambiase’s Red Bull exit
Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter
Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox
For more information see our Privacy Policy
Jos Verstappen weighs in on F1 2026’s controversial new regulations.
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, says he has resorted to “switching off the TV” when watching Formula 1 this season.
F1’s new power unit regulations for the 2026 season have divided opinion among drivers and fans, with four-time world champion Verstappen the loudest critic of the rules.
Verstappen has been left unhappy with the amount of energy management that is required with the new power units and made several disparaging remarks about the direction F1 has gone.
The rules have already been tweaked in an attempt to improve qualifying and appease driver concerns relating to their safety, though it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to keep the 28-year-old Dutchman in F1.
Verstappen Sr has joined his son in criticising the regulations, telling RaceXpress: “It’s madness to say that GT3 is a better race than Formula 1. It used to be the other way round.
“All those GT3 lads were desperate to get a taste of what it’s like in Formula 1, but these days that’s hard to come by.
“As a driver, I find it [2026-spec F1] less enjoyable too. Every now and then I’m watching and I switch the TV off because I’m less interested.
“It’s not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for. The driver has to rely heavily on the car and can no longer make a difference as a driver. I think that’s a shame in Formula 1.
“Look, you have to brake late, but you can’t brake too late either. Yet in fast corners you really need to be able to make a difference, like in the first sector in Japan.
“You just can’t do that with this car and certainly not with that battery that you have to keep recharging.”
Speaking before the changes were announced, Red Bull driver Verstappen welcomed efforts to improve the regulations.
“The fact that we’re talking [about changes to the rules] is already a step forward,” Verstappen told Viaplay last week.
“The problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally, something is wrong. Not everyone will admit that publicly, but it’s true.
“I’m just trying to adapt to it. Even though I’ll be retiring in a few years’ time, I do want it to remain a decent sport. Something has to change. In that case, I would choose to have the V10 or V8 engines brought back.”
Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, says he has resorted to “switching off the TV” when watching Formula 1 this season.
F1’s new power unit regulations for the 2026 season have divided opinion among drivers and fans, with four-time world champion Verstappen the loudest critic of the rules.
Verstappen has been left unhappy with the amount of energy management that is required with the new power units and made several disparaging remarks about the direction F1 has gone.
The rules have already been tweaked in an attempt to improve qualifying and appease driver concerns relating to their safety, though it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to keep the 28-year-old Dutchman in F1.
Verstappen Sr has joined his son in criticising the regulations, telling RaceXpress: “It’s madness to say that GT3 is a better race than Formula 1. It used to be the other way round.
“All those GT3 lads were desperate to get a taste of what it’s like in Formula 1, but these days that’s hard to come by.
“As a driver, I find it [2026-spec F1] less enjoyable too. Every now and then I’m watching and I switch the TV off because I’m less interested.
“It’s not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for. The driver has to rely heavily on the car and can no longer make a difference as a driver. I think that’s a shame in Formula 1.
“Look, you have to brake late, but you can’t brake too late either. Yet in fast corners you really need to be able to make a difference, like in the first sector in Japan.
“You just can’t do that with this car and certainly not with that battery that you have to keep recharging.”
Speaking before the changes were announced, Red Bull driver Verstappen welcomed efforts to improve the regulations.
“The fact that we’re talking [about changes to the rules] is already a step forward,” Verstappen told Viaplay last week.
“The problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally, something is wrong. Not everyone will admit that publicly, but it’s true.
“I’m just trying to adapt to it. Even though I’ll be retiring in a few years’ time, I do want it to remain a decent sport. Something has to change. In that case, I would choose to have the V10 or V8 engines brought back.”
[analyse_source url=”http://crash.net/f1/news/1093282/1/why-max-verstappens-father-has-switched-tv-when-watching-f1-2026″]