- Jonathan Wheatley pushes back on Max Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 F1 rules.
- Verstappen calls driving “artificial” following Red Bull’s difficult weekend in Shanghai.
- Rival teams argue on-track battles show new regs can still deliver close and fair racing.
Audi team principal Jonathan Wheatley has pushed back on Max Verstappen’s sharp criticism of Formula 1’s 2026 rules, arguing that the Dutch driver’s frustration reflects Red Bull’s poor start to the season more than any failure of the racing itself.
Speaking after the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15 in Shanghai, Wheatley told media, including GP Blog, that strong on-track battles elsewhere in the field show the new era can still deliver real racing.
Verstappen left Shanghai unhappy after a difficult weekend that ended in retirement. He called the new style of racing “terrible” and warned it risks harming the sport’s credibility. Wheatley, however, pointed to other drivers’ experiences to challenge that view.
Background: A torrid weekend for Max Verstappen in Shanghai
At the Shanghai International Circuit, Verstappen never looked like a contender. His Red Bull RB22 struggled with power delivery and traction all weekend. The race ended early due to reliability issues, adding to a tough start under the new rules.
The 2026 regulations brought major changes. Cars now rely on a 50/50 split between electrical power from the MGU-K and the internal combustion engine. That shift has forced teams to rethink how they manage energy and grip.
Max Verstappen did not hold back after the race. He said the racing feels artificial and compared it to a video game where drivers use short bursts of energy to pass, only to lose the advantage moments later. He also warned that fans who enjoy this style may not understand real racing.
He added that the rules are “fundamentally flawed” and said he had raised concerns as early as 2023. He even suggested, and not for the first time in recent months, that he could leave the sport if things do not improve.
Wheatley’s rebuttal: Look at the Ferraris
Wheatley offered a different picture. He pointed to the battle between Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as proof that the racing can still be clean and exciting.
“From my perspective, if you spoke to the two Ferrari drivers, they’d say they had a brilliant day,” Wheatley told GPBlog. “If you can’t win, then if you can just race cleanly, it didn’t look like any kind of false racing to me. Each driver had a go at each other. They raced beautifully, cleanly. I enjoyed watching it.”
He then addressed Verstappen’s comments directly. “Max’s criticism only comes because his team is struggling more than expected with the new rules,” he said.
Wheatley also showed some understanding. He noted that Verstappen’s position in the field shapes how he sees the racing. But he stressed that other battles in the pack are encouraging.
“There are battles going on in the field that I think are hugely encouraging. I think you can understand Max’s comments perhaps because of where he finds himself,” he added.
Toto Wolff echoes Wheatley’s view
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff shared a similar view. He said Verstappen is dealing with a very difficult car, calling it a “horror show” based on onboard footage from qualifying.
Wolff made it clear that not all teams face the same issues. He said many cars handle far better under the new rules. He also pointed to strong racing in Shanghai, including the Ferrari fight and George Russell’s run.
He did admit some parts of the rules need work. He mentioned the lift-and-coast requirement in qualifying as one area that could improve. Still, he said the racing itself remains entertaining.
Verstappen rejected the idea that his criticism comes from Red Bull’s struggles. He said he would feel the same even if he were winning. He also noted he has raised these concerns for years.
Red Bull’s problems go beyond pace. The team has already suffered two power unit failures in two races. One affected Isack Hadjar, and the other ended Verstappen’s race in China. These issues have forced Verstappen into recovery drives instead of front-running battles.
A divided paddock
The debate over the 2026 rules is now a key story early in the season. Verstappen stands on one side, warning that the racing feels artificial. On the other side are team bosses and drivers who see close, fair fights on track.
Wheatley’s stance carries weight. He spent nearly two decades at Red Bull and worked closely with Verstappen during multiple title-winning years. His decision to speak out shows how deep the divide has become.
The next race in Suzuka may offer more answers. If Red Bull improves reliability, Verstappen may get a clearer view of the new rules in a proper fight at the front. Until then, the debate over what Formula 1 should look like remains open.
