F1 champion Max Verstappen targeted in FIA president’s statement over 2026 rules

Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Max Verstappen — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Max Verstappen targeted in FIA president’s statement over 2026 F1 rules

The FIA president has hit back at drivers who complain about F1 rules

Originally written by Sheona Mountford. This version is a translation.

Saturday 23 May 2026 17:00

F1 champion Max Verstappen has found himself as the latest not so subtle target of a statement from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem regarding the 2026 regulations.

Ben Sulayem was re-elected as the man to lead F1's governing body in December 2025 after running unopposed, and his second terms has so far been characterised by the controversial rule changes.

Verstappen has been one of the biggest critics of the overhauled chassis and power unit regulations coming into play this season, and now, the FIA president has hit back at F1 stars like the Dutchman who have complained about the new rules.

Article continues under video

It has been a volatile start to the new F1 era, which saw a dramatic shift towards sustainability with an almost 50/50 split between electric power and the internal combustion engine.

However, after complaints from the drivers and fans regarding energy management and artificial racing, the FIA have been open to rule tweaks to help improve the safety and the spectacle in F1.

The FIA announced in a statement: "Turning to the longer-term refinement of the regulations, it was agreed in principle to introduce evolutionary changes to the rules regarding hardware components, making competition safer, fairer and more intuitive for drivers and teams.

"The measures agreed in principle today for 2027 would see a nominal increase in Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power by ~50kW alongside a fuel-flow increase and a nominal reduction of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) deployment power by ~50kW."

FIA president: Criticism comes from those lagging behind

Despite the FIA's enthusiasm to work with drivers and teams to improve the sport, the president, Ben Sulayem, recently defended the direction the sport has gone in to Forbes.

In a sit-down interview, he argued that complaints weren't universal on the grid, but instead from teams and drivers who have not implemented the new regulations well, pointing to Mercedes and Ferrari as teams who were not as eager to voice their displeasure.

"When I took over, it was 2022 – the agreement was signed in August 2022," he reflected.

"But the regulations did not come about within eight months. It was discussed with all the teams for a total of eighteen months, and then it was implemented."

"Everyone had the same amount of time: if you look at August 2022 and then the implementation during the first test they did in Barcelona this year, that was enough time for everyone."

"Some had a problem with the car – some with the power unit and some with the chassis – but it is amazing how only those who are lagging behind complain. Did you hear Mercedes or Ferrari complain? No, of course not. It is a cycle."

"Today there is someone who is so good, and then everyone wants to take his place. And those are the rivals, who are competitive. But the criticism only comes from the people who perhaps haven't implemented the regulations very well."

F1 FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem