Max Verstappen\u2019s criticism of Formula 1\u2019s new regulations smacks of frustration, with Guenther Steiner accusing the Red Bull driver of \u2018throwing his toys out of the pram\u2019 amid the team\u2019s struggles.<\/p>\n
This season, Formula 1 is operating with all-new regulations as the sport has changed not only the chassis but also the power unit rules.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen F1 rules criticism slammed by Guenther Steiner<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/p>\n Adopting a 50\/50 split in combustion and electrical power, the drivers have to manage the life of their batteries, forcing them to downshift towards the end of the straights to harvest battery power. Super clipping, when the car has exhausted its battery energy and relies solely on combustion power, has become the buzz term of the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n The new engine formula has also had a huge impact on starts after F1 removed the MGU-H, leaving the drivers struggling to find the ideal start configuration with their power units. Verstappen has been caught out three times in as many starts, the driver reporting a lack of battery power off the line.<\/p>\n Although Verstappen<\/a> brought home a P6 in Australia, fighting back after being bogged down on the line, he wasn\u2019t able to score in either the Sprint or grand prix in China.<\/p>\n In both events, he fell towards the back of the field at the start, and could only recover to P9 in the Sprint, one place shy of the points, before having to retire from the grand prix with a coolant issue.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone likes this, then you really don\u2019t know what racing is,\u201d Verstappen said of the new rules in China<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s not fun at all. It\u2019s like Mario Kart. This is not racing.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cLook at the racing, boost to pass, and then you run out of battery the next straight, they boost past you again. For me, it\u2019s just a joke.\u201d<\/p>\n Guenther Steiner, however, reckons Verstappen\u2019s toys are coming out of the pram only because Red Bull isn\u2019t winning.<\/p>\n Go deeper: PF1 analysis of the Chinese GP<\/p>\n Chinese GP conclusions: Verstappen sabbatical fear, mixed Hamilton feelings, McLaren Powertrains<\/a><\/p>\n Chinese GP driver ratings: Antonelli shines, Hamilton impresses and Ocon falters<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Haas team principal said Verstappen\u2019s frustrations have nothing to do with the regulations and everything to do with Red Bull\u2019s form.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the fault of the regulations,\u201d he said, \u201cthat\u2019s the fault of the team if the car cannot start.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like the two McLarens not starting, that has not happened for a long time that two cars cannot even start a race. You cannot blame the regulations because most of the other cars started the race, except for [Gabriel] Bortoleto and [Alex] Albon.<\/p>\n \u201cMax is not happy because the car is not where he likes it to be. Red Bull have a brand new engine and it\u2019s advanced technology, it takes some time for the engineers to get used to.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m actually surprised how the new engine manufacturers like Ford and Audi have done, so it will improve after a little bit of time.<\/p>\n \u201cMax always throws the toys out of the pram when it doesn\u2019t go his way.\u201d<\/p>\n And as Verstappen is frustrated, his former F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton is loving life in the new cars after he finally clinched his first podium in Ferrari colours in Shanghai.<\/p>\n Hamilton enthused about the new rules to Sky; \u201cI had so much fun, we had a great start\u2026it was one of the most enjoyable races I\u2019ve had in a long time, if ever.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that the cars are the way they are this year and that battle with Charles at the end was awesome. A great wheel-to-wheel battle and very fair and just what we want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess why,\u201d Steiner said of Hamilton\u2019s comments, \u201cbecause he is having success, the opposite of Max, when you are doing good that\u2019s what it\u2019s like.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has been over a year since he has been on the podium in a main race so obviously he\u2019s enjoying it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would he be negative in something he has been successful in? It\u2019s going to take some getting used to [with the new regulations] but it\u2019s very good to see Lewis back.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n