Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has launched into another rant about Formula 1’s new regulations, blasting the “terrible” new style of racing that will “ruin the sport”.

Red Bull driver Verstappen has been an outspoken critic of the new power unit rules, headlined by hybrid engines that split between internal combustion and electrical power. The “boost” and “overtake” modes, which provide extra energy to help drivers pass rivals, has created a “yo-yo” style of racing where drivers are vulnerable to being overtaken while charging their batteries.

Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

Verstappen, who retired from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix due to a mechanical failure, declared the current set of regulations was “fundamentally flawed”, adding that anyone who enjoyed the back-and-forth action did not understand racing.

“It’s terrible,” he told reporters after the race.

“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.

“Boosting past, then you run out of battery, the next straight they boost past you again. For me, it’s just a joke.”

He added: “I would say the same if I would be winning races. Because I care about the racing product. It’s not about being upset with where I am.”

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands chasing one of the Racing Bulls. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished third in Shanghai, his first podium with the Italian team, offered a different view to his rival, calling the Chinese Grand Prix “the best racing I’ve ever experienced in F1”.

“I speak for most of the drivers – some of course will say it’s great because they’re winning races, which is fair enough,” Verstappen continued.

“When you have an advantage, why would you give that up, right? Because you never know if you’re going to have a good car again.

“But if you just speak to most of the drivers, it’s not what we like, I don’t think it’s what the real F1 fans like. Maybe some fans like it, but they don’t understand racing.

“Hopefully we can get rid of this as soon as possible.”

Verstappen also pointed out that he criticised the new regulations when they were first proposed in 2023.

“Unfortunately they did what they did,” he said.

“Lesson for the future – that this would never happen again, that would be great.”

Asked if he could appreciate the new style of racing appealed to the sport’s casual fans, Verstappen responded: “I hope they don’t think like that. Because it will eventually ruin the sport. It will come and bite them back in the ass.”

Alonso retires with vibration issues | 00:23

Elsewhere, veteran driver Fernando Alonso, who described this season as “the battery world championship”, has continued struggling with Honda engine problems in his Aston Martin.

On Sunday, the 44-year-old was seen taking his hands off the steering wheel on the straights due to the vibration emanating from Honda’s internal combustion engine, with suggestions it has put him at risk of nerve damage. He retired on Lap 32 of the Chinese Grand Prix, revealing he lost all feeling in his hands and feet during the race.

“Continuing until the end of the race while losing feeling in my hands and feet didn’t make much sense,” Alonso said.

“(The vibrating) was worse today than any other session in the weekend.

“We were one lap behind, we were last. It was probably no point to keep on going.”

The F1 season resumes with the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, March 29.