Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, has admitted that he sometimes \u201cswitches the TV off\u201d due to his lack of interest in F1 2026.<\/p>\n
It comes following the Red Bull driver\u2019s persistent criticism of the new rules.<\/p>\n
Jos Verstappen: F1 2026 rules \u2018not what Formula 1 stands for\u2019<\/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 Verstappen has been vocal of his dislike of the F1 2026 regulations, memorably likening the new-look Formula 1 to \u201cFormula E on steroids\u201d during pre-season testing in Bahrain in February.<\/p>\n The four-time world champion warned at last month\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix that his unhappiness with the current situation could drive him away from F1 entirely.<\/p>\n Verstappen, who has been open about his desire to try other forms of motorsport, made his latest trip to the Nordschleife last weekend as he prepares to make his debut in the N\u00fcrburgring 24 Hours in May.<\/p>\n Go deeper: Max Verstappen\u2019s frustration with the F1 2026 rules<\/p>\n The signs that Max Verstappen is closer than ever to quitting F1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Pretty terrible\u2019 \u2013 The Max Verstappen F1 2026 warning that went ignored<\/a><\/p>\n The FIA confirmed a series of changes to the F1 2026 rules on Monday<\/a> following a high-level meeting with the sport\u2019s stakeholders, including F1\u2019s commercial arm Formula One Management and representatives of the teams and power unit manufacturers.<\/p>\n The tweaks, which are mostly related to energy management and safety, are set to come into effect from the next race in Miami on May 3.<\/p>\n Verstappen Sr, who made 106 F1 starts between 1994 and 2003, has joined his son\u2019s criticism of the new regulations, admitting he sometimes turns off his television while watching the action.<\/p>\n He told RaceXpress: \u201cIt\u2019s madness to say that GT3 is a better race than Formula 1. It used to be the other way round.<\/p>\n \u201cAll those GT3 lads were desperate to get a taste of what it\u2019s like in Formula 1, but these days that\u2019s hard to come by.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a driver, I find it [2026-spec F1] less enjoyable too. Every now and then I\u2019m watching and I switch the TV off because I\u2019m less interested.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for.<\/p>\n \u201cThe driver has to rely heavily on the car and can no longer make a difference as a driver. I think that\u2019s a shame in Formula 1.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, you have to brake late, but you can\u2019t brake too late either.<\/p>\n \u201cYet in fast corners you really need to be able to make a difference, like in the first sector in Japan.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just can\u2019t do that with this car and certainly not with that battery that you have to keep recharging.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking before the changes to the rules were announced, Verstappen welcomed efforts to refine the new regulations.<\/p>\n However, the four-time world champion warned that any tweaks will only paper over the cracks over a set of rules proving to be \u201cfundamentally wrong\u201d for the sport.<\/p>\n Appearing on stage in an event organised by Viaplay last week, Verstappen said: \u201cThe fact that we\u2019re talking [about changes to the rules] is already a step forward.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem is simply that you can tweak these regulations a bit, but fundamentally something is wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everyone will admit that publicly, but it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen, who is officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, appeared to play down fears that he could walk away from F1 at the end of this season.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cI\u2019m just trying to adapt to it. Even though I\u2019ll be retiring in a few years\u2019 time, I do want it to remain a decent sport.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething has to change. In that case, I would choose to have the V10 or V8 engines brought 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