Jos Verstappen: ‘Everyone laughed’ but Max is being proven right

As Formula 1 grapples with the unintended consequences of its sweeping 2026 regulation overhaul, Jos Verstappen has declared that his son, Max Verstappen, is finally being proven right.

Years after raising red flags about the direction of the sport, Max was, according to his father, dismissed as negative and alarmist. Now, with drivers openly frustrated by the new machinery, Jos believes the paddock is seeing what his son warned about all along.

The new-generation cars – radically revised in both aerodynamics and power unit philosophy — have shifted the competitive focus heavily toward energy harvesting and deployment.

Managing electrical output is now a decisive factor in lap time, a change that has drawn criticism from several drivers during pre-season testing. Max himself branded the cars “Formula E on steroids” and “anti-racing,” a stinging assessment that sent shockwaves through the paddock.

‘Everybody Was Laughing’

But, as Jos insists, none of this should come as a surprise.

“Max was speaking about this two or three years ago,” he said, speaking to Dutch broadcaster Viaplay.

“He saw some data, but everybody was laughing at him at that time. [They were saying] 'Max was negative', and things like that.”

Back then, the concerns were brushed aside. The sport was charging toward a greener, more electrified future, and dissenting voices were treated as resistance to progress.

Now, however, with complaints surfacing about awkward starting procedures, compromised wheel-to-wheel racing and the extreme emphasis on energy management, Jos feels vindication is in the air.

“Now they have the regulations there, everybody can see it,” added Jos. “So they should listen a little bit more to the drivers. But they don't.”

A Missed Opportunity?

The crux of the Verstappen frustration lies not in change itself – but in what they see as a failure to properly consult those behind the wheel.

Max has made it clear that drivers are not demanding control over rule-making, but rather a seat at the table when fundamental racing dynamics are at stake.

“I understand, drivers shouldn't decide everything,” the Red Bull charger said.

“But when it comes to quite some logical things about racing, or at least that we can give advice, we can even jump in the simulator and test stuff, you'll figure out stuff that is bad.”

For Jos, the conclusion is blunt.

“That's where sometimes F1 or the FIA, they are not understanding how important a driver can be in decisions,” he made clear.

With frustration bubbling across the grid, the debate over Formula 1’s new era is only just beginning – and the Verstappens are making it clear they saw it coming.

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