The Red Bull driver launched a fresh attack on the new generation of Formula 1 cars after being forced to retire from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix. The 28-year-old has claimed they will “eventually ruin the sport”.

Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the 2026 rules and the cars which are powered by hybrid engines and rely on more electrical energy than ever before. DRS has also been replaced by ‘overtake mode’, and battery management has become a crucial part of racing, leading to far more overtaking; however, critics say it is artificial.

It emerged ahead of the season that the FIA and FOM had scheduled a post-Shanghai review get-together with team principals. It is said that this move was to discuss initial impressions of the new regulations and to consider whether any immediate changes were needed.

It is claimed the meeting was triggered by concerns after testing on the new regulations fell flat, and the new cars produced a poor spectacle. But the Race now claim this meeting will not go ahead.

The report claims the situation has changed after a more encouraging picture of events in Shanghai this weekend. It is claimed that the consensus in the paddock is that some aspects do not need addressing.

These include the qualifying spectacle and some overtly complex elements to the regulation. However, they are said not to be big enough worries to force a rush towards any knee-jerk changes. Instead, it is felt that it is better to hold fire and make a more considered action plan.

It is claimed that the entertaining sprint and main races in China have given F1 bosses some assurance that the spectacle being delivered is far removed from the disaster that some feared in pre-season testing.

The report adds that China was very different to Australia, which took place on one of the most energy-starved tracks on the schedule. It is further claimed that getting a greater understanding of the third event in Japan will give a better indication of the 2026 cars.

The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’s has now created a larger gap before Miami to evaluate and implement any necessary changes. Verstappen counts himself among those who feel the current state of the sport is not what F1 racing should be about

Following a nightmare weekend in China, Verstappen said: “I think [FOM and the FIA] understand where we are coming from as drivers, and I think I speak for most of the drivers. Some, of course, will say it’s great because they are winning races, which is fair enough. When you have an advantage, why would you give that up? 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. But hopefully we can get rid of this… It will eventually ruin the sport. It will come and bite them back in the ass.

“For me, as long as we can just communicate with them and make sure that we are working on some solutions that will help a lot, but it’s also going to be very difficult for everyone to agree. Of course, not everyone needs to agree, but most of the people have to agree to make changes. But, like I said, it’s political. Some people feel they have the advantage now, and, of course, they want to use that, rightly.”