Japanese Grand Prix gets ‘Mario Kart’ twist after F1 driver complaints

Japanese Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix gets ‘Mario Kart’ twist after F1 driver complaints

F1's new regulations have triggered a popular comparison

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Thursday 19 March 2026 21:00

Formula 1’s trip to the Japanese Grand Prix has taken on a playful edge, with the event receiving a “Mario Kart”-style spin after the 2026 rules sparked comparisons from drivers across the grid.

Several stars — including Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc — have likened the new energy deployment systems to elements of the famous racing game, though their reactions to the changes have been very different.

Leclerc has appeared to embrace the concept, even joking over team radio earlier this season that the boost felt like using a power-up in Mario Kart, highlighting how the new features are changing the on-track experience.

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But Verstappen on the other hand was not best pleased after suffering his first DNF of the so far disappointing year in Shanghai last weekend, telling media: "If someone likes this... then you really don't know what racing is like.

"Not fun at all. Playing Mario Kart. This is not racing. Boosting past, then you run out of battery, the next straight they boost past you again. For me, it's just a joke."

Why is F1 2026 being compared to Mario Kart?

The video was both nostalgic and hilarious and adopted the style of a Mario Kart grand prix introduction, before showing clips of some of this year's highs and lows from across the opening two race weekends.

Verstappen himself featured in the promo with a flying pineapple sending him spinning off the track in an ode to the pesky bananas that can be used in Mario Kart to unsettle your opponents.

Ferrari also featured in the promo, with the Mario Kart item box used to explain the Scuderia's lightning fast race starts that have been on show thanks to Leclerc and his team-mate Lewis Hamilton so far this season.

Canal+ are not the first to take to social media to share their gaming-inspired edits of the opening rounds of the championship, with a fan edit of last weekend's Chinese GP having also proved popular after the chaotic Shanghai sprint weekend.

Though the drivers are divided over the new power unit and energy deployment rules, Mario Kart is in some ways a helpful comparison to make for fans who are struggling to get their head around the new regulations.

With the focus on electrical energy having been tripled for 2026 and the use of DRS having been scrapped altogether, there are a plethora of new terms for fans and drivers to get to grips with.

But it is the introduction of the boost button and overtake mode that have drawn comparisons to Mario Kart, so if you're still not sure what these terms mean, click here to read our in depth explainer, new for 2026.

When is the next F1 race?

After a fast turnaround between the 2026 season opener and the second round, fans and drivers can breathe easy for a moment given that there is now a week off until the third race weekend of the championship.

The next grand prix is not until Sunday, March 19 in Suzuka as the Japanese Grand Prix returns before a long break in April following confirmation from F1 that both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Max Verstappen 2026 regulations Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka Suzuka International Circuit