Ahead of the start of the 2026 season, four-time world champion Max Verstappen has admitted that he could quit Formula 1, amid new rules that he branded as "anti-racing".

Speaking to the media on the second day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, the Dutchman held nothing back as he blasted freshly-introduced technical regulations that drastically alter the experience of driving for the sport's biggest names.

In a major shift, the power unit rules for F1 in 2026 see the sport move to a 50/50 split of power generation between the internal combustion engine and the electrical hybrid system. As a result, drivers will need to significantly alter their driving techniques in order to generate the energy required.

It is not expected that the changes will impact overall lap times, but drivers will have to be far more mindful of when to push their cars to the fullest with energy conservation in mind.

"Not a Lot of Fun" - Max Verstappen on Driving His 2026 Red Bull Car

Verstappen has only driven his 2026 car a handful of times, but he is already disillusioned with the changes. Asked about his experience so far, Max admitted: "To drive, it's not a lot of fun to be honest."

"I also know how much work has been going on in the background, also, from the engine side for the guys. So it’s not always the nicest thing to say, but I also want to be realistic as for as a driver, the feeling is not very F1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids."

"The rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that. That’s also not my problem, because I’m all for that and equal chances.

"I don’t mind that, but, as a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out, and, at the moment, you cannot drive like that."

Verstappen's comments come less than 24 hours after seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted that the new rules were "ridiculously complicated."

Max Verstappen "Exploring Things Outside of F1" Amid Changes

Verstappen went on to admit that he may even ultimately walk away from the sport over the changes. The new rules are expected to be in place for at least five years, and Verstappen conceded that he could consider his future if the regulations remain until the end of the 2030 season.

"It needs to be fun to drive as well. I think, at this stage of my career. I mean, I am, of course, also exploring other things outside of Formula 1 to have fun at. I know that we’re stuck with this regulation for quite a while. So, yeah, let’s see."

In a pointed message to F1 bosses, Verstappen stated: "The livery looks great, the car looks great. Obviously, the proportion of the car looks good. I think that’s not the problem.

"It’s just everything else that is a bit, for me, anti-racing. Probably people will not be happy with me saying this right now, but I am outspoken, and why am I not allowed to say what I think of my race car?"

He concluded: For me, yeah, that’s just not Formula 1, because then it maybe better to drive Formula E, right? Because that’s all about energy efficiency and management, and that’s what they stand for. So, driving-wise, not so fun."

F1 bosses have yet to react to the criticism levelled at the new rules, but with one of the sport's biggest stars coming out so negatively against them, it may only be a matter of time until the changes are reconsidered.