Max Verstappen’s growing frustration with Formula 1’s 2026 regulations is now being echoed across the sport’s landscape, with Felipe Massa the latest to enter the debate.After two races so far this season, Formula 1 is split. One side is disillusioned and disappointed with what was witnessed in Australia and China, while the other appears content and even effusive about the “show” delivered during the opening two grands prix of the 2026 season.
On one side sit FOM and its affiliates, along with pundits wary of what they say or write should their paddock privileges be revoked, those effectively paid to push the narrative, such as Juan Pablo Montoya and the F1 TV crew doing their jobs, and perhaps a few misinformed fans in support.
On the other side are pundits, including former Formula 1 drivers like Massa and the majority of fans, who are calling out what they see as a farce.
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Verstappen has made clear his dissatisfaction with his Grand Prix weekends, seeking competitive satisfaction away from Formula 1 by racing GT3 machinery on the Nürburgring whenever his schedule allows. His concerns about the quality of racing are no longer isolated.
Former Ferrari driver Massa has now joined the criticism, outlining fundamental issues with both the racing product and the technical framework.
Formula 1 needs to figure out the right rules 
Speaking to Diario Sport, Massa, who has no skin in the game, warned: “Formula 1 needs to figure out what the right rules are, because what is happening is not pleasant, it is not what people would like to see.”
While the 2026 regulations were designed to improve racing, Massa argues the outcome has produced artificial battles rather than genuine competition: “Of course we see a lot of overtaking, but they are not the right ones, they are false overtaking.
“In Formula 1, drivers are supposed to drive on the limit most of the time and that is what people want, whereas now, in a certain sense, the driver is more of an engineer than anything else,” he added.
Massa believes the core identity of Formula 1 is being diluted, with drivers managing systems rather than pushing performance: “This is not good, and we need to figure out immediately what to do with the regulations.
“Furthermore, last year we finished the championship with a gap of maybe a second and a half between all the cars, whereas now we are seeing gaps of up to five seconds. This is terrible.”
Another era of Mercedes dominance ahead?
Beyond the racing itself, Massa also pointed to the political and competitive tensions that could define the next phase of the sport: “There is undoubtedly a situation now in which the strong teams will fight to ensure nothing changes, while the less competitive teams will push for rule changes
“I think it is important for the Federation and Formula 1 to also understand what is best for the sport,” ventured Massa also raised concerns that the current trajectory could lead to another period of dominance.
“If there are no regulatory changes, there will be a Mercedes dominance similar to that of the early years of the hybrid era. In fact, Ferrari is not that far behind, and it is nice to see them battling, but we do not know if Mercedes is really showing everything they have,” warned Massa.
He even hinted at hidden performance still to be unleashed: “Maybe they still have something up their sleeve. A magic button hidden somewhere? Well, yes, maybe they do!”
The message from within Formula 1 is becoming harder to ignore. Verstappen is not alone, and the pressure on the sport’s rulemakers is building fast as the 2026 era unfolds.