Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenico reiterated that drivers are free to voice their views and are not being muzzled when it comes to the sport's power‑unit regulations. The upcoming 2026 technical rulebook has sparked a lively debate among teams and pilots, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen emerging as one of the most vocal critics. Verstappen has repeatedly described the current "yo‑yo" style of racing—where overtakes are quickly followed by re‑passes—as "anti‑racing" and even joked after last month’s Belgian Grand Prix that he might be "shot outside the door" if he kept criticizing the new rules. A week later, during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen elaborated on his concerns.
He said he had already spoken out about the regulations long before the season began, noting that many initially dismissed his comments as mere complaints. Over the past few races, however, he observed that an increasing number of fans and insiders were beginning to see the same issues he had flagged years ago.
"It isn’t about me not wanting to win any more," he explained, "it’s about caring for the product we deliver. I have said it many times, and at some point that should be enough. Yet, when people keep asking, I feel compelled to keep speaking up." Verstappen continued, pointing out that the current cars are often forced to run with relatively low horsepower by Formula 1 standards, which makes the racing feel less exciting.
He described the situation as "painful" for drivers who must extract performance from engines that lack the power they are accustomed to, and admitted that he is growing weary of having to repeat the same criticisms over and over. Domenico, while acknowledging Verstappen's frustration, said he would prefer to resolve technical disagreements behind closed doors, but he also respects the right of every driver to express an opinion. "We are not here to tape anyone's mouth shut," he said.
"The beauty of our sport is that everyone can have an opinion, even if that opinion is just an opinion. Some drivers have preferences, and we need to be constructive about that." Earlier in the year, Verstappen hinted that he might reconsider his future in Formula 1 if the power‑unit rules were not altered for the 2027 season. The 2026 regulations increase the electrical component of the hybrid power unit, bringing the split between internal‑combustion and electric power close to 50‑50.
The FIA later announced a gradual shift to a 58‑42 split for 2027 and 60‑40 for 2028. While Verstappen has not announced any intention to leave the sport, speculation remains about whether he will stay with Red Bull or move elsewhere.
Domenico praised Verstappen as an "incredible driver" and highlighted their ongoing dialogue about the sport's direction. "I have said many times that I’m getting older and keep repeating this, but Max loves Formula 1 and we discuss the future regulations together," Domenico said.
"F1 is big enough for him to stay, and I hope he chooses to remain with us. The sport is larger than any individual, and we all benefit from his talent." Attendance figures this season underscore the sport's growth.
Events have been sold out across the globe, with record crowds in Australia (484,000), Canada (360,000), Austria (320,000), Silverstone (564,000), Belgium (400,000) and Hungary (310,000). Domenico also recounted a recent conversation with filmmaker George Lucas, who visited the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Lucas offered a fresh perspective on how new fans engage with Formula 1, emphasizing that most spectators care more about overtaking battles than technical minutiae such as throttle angles or brake pressure percentages. "The majority of fans just want to see action on the track," Domenico explained. "They are not interested in the engineering details; they want to see a spectacular overtake, like Max’s move on Lewis at Turn 1 in Hungary, which was a piece of art.
They want to feel the excitement and connect with the drivers' skill." Looking ahead, the championship will resume after the summer break with a sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21‑23. All sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW with no long‑term contract required.
The series continues to balance technical evolution with the need to keep racing thrilling for both seasoned enthusiasts and the growing base of casual viewers. In summary, while the 2026 power‑unit regulations have sparked debate, the sport’s leadership, exemplified by Stefano Domenico, affirms that drivers like Max Verstappen have the freedom to speak their minds.
At the same time, the organization remains committed to refining the rules in a way that preserves the spectacle of overtaking and maintains the sport’s expanding global appeal.