Apparently one of the most expensive and professional racing sports in the world is starting to feel like Mario Kart.
Max Verstappen is known for his unfiltered interviews and his blunt statements, but comparing Formula 1 to Mario Kart might be something even his fans didn’t anticipate.
"It Is Mario Kart": Verstappen Criticizes New F1 Rules
It is understandable that Max Verstappen was not amused after the Chinese Grand Prix, considering he had to retire from the race after only 10 laps because of an engine failure. So it is no surprise that he appeared frustrated in the post-race interview. He seemed particularly upset about rules that were announced back in 2023 but were only introduced in the 2026 season.
The rules he is referring to are the regulations surrounding energy deployment and overtaking systems in Formula 1. Agreed in 2023, they allow drivers to use an electrical boost to overtake rivals. However, Max Verstappen has not been a fan of the change since it was first announced.
According to him the changes are undermining the driver experience:
"It is not fun at all. It is Mario Kart. This is not racing. We are boosting past. Then you run out of battery, and they boost back past you again. For me, it is just a joke. I would say the same if I were winning because I care about the racing product."
He further emphasized that for him it is not about his own ranking, but that he believes the rule is fundamentally bad for the sport. However, he also said he understands why other drivers who benefit from the change are more reluctant to push for changes to the rules:
"Some, of course, will say it’s great because they are winning, which is fair enough, and when you have an advantage, why would you give that up? 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."
He still added that he wishes this rule gets eliminated as soon as possible:
"It’s political. Some people feel they have the advantage now. They want to use that. I get that and I’m not stupid. But at the same time, it is just not good for the sport. Hopefully, we can get rid of this as soon as possible."
So if it were up to Verstappen, the rule changes of 2023 would be reversed on the spot. While Formula 1 might not be handing out blue shells anytime soon, Verstappen clearly feels that modern racing comes a little too close to a video game.
