Max Verstappen has shared proposals with the FIA to address concerns over the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations following the Australian Grand Prix. Drivers have criticized the 'yo-yo racing' caused by energy management, which led to artificial overtakes and safety issues at the start. Verstappen hopes for changes to make racing more natural, while confirming he does not plan to leave the sport.
The Australian Grand Prix, the season opener under Formula 1's new 2026 regulations, produced 120 overtaking moves—roughly three times more than the previous year—but drivers like Max Verstappen dismissed the statistic as misleading. "Sometimes you have safety cars, virtual safety cars, so you can never say: now there were 120 overtakes and then 60. It depends on how the race unfolds. It’s not black and white that more is always better," Verstappen said in Shanghai ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
Most overtakes occurred on straights due to varying battery deployments, resulting in what paddock insiders call 'yo-yo racing,' where drivers pass using electrical power boosts but then lose speed recharging, allowing immediate retaliation. Lando Norris described the racing as "even worse than a qualifying lap" and "way too artificial." Sergio Perez called it "very fake... Mario Kart-style." Charles Leclerc noted the added complexity: "You need to think about how can you get past the car using the least energy possible."
Safety concerns arose at the start, with several drivers, including Verstappen from 20th position and Liam Lawson, beginning with low or zero battery charge, leading to slow getaways and a near-miss between Lawson and Franco Colapinto. "Starting with 0% battery is not a lot of fun and is also quite dangerous," Verstappen stated, adding that discussions with the FIA are underway for simple solutions.
Verstappen has proposed longer-term adjustments, such as reducing electrical power share in race trim to achieve normal speeds and minimize lift-and-coast tactics, though he acknowledged challenges like deviating from the 50-50 power split. Most ideas stem from him but aim to benefit the sport overall. While some drivers believe issues were exaggerated at Melbourne's high-speed layout and will improve elsewhere, like Shanghai with more braking zones, others like Isack Hadjar see it as a season-long trend.
Amid frustrations—Verstappen once called the cars "Formula E on steroids"—he has confirmed ongoing talks with the FIA and F1, hoping for improvements next year. He emphasized not wanting to leave, balancing F1 duties with side projects like his upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours debut in May.
