Max Verstappen is once again making headlines, this time due to comments he made about the 2026 cars.
As F1 prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has expressed his concerns about the new generation of cars, describing the regulations as “not fun” and “a joke.”
Those comments have now triggered a sharp response from former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, who agreed with Damon Hill’s suggestion that Max Verstappen needs to “shut up and drive more.” That exchange was reported by GPblog ahead of Suzuka.
The statement is the kind that instantly grabs attention because it taps into a bigger debate already building around Formula 1’s new era. The 2026 cars were supposed to signal progress, but some drivers have clearly not been impressed so far. Verstappen, never exactly known for sugar-coating his views, has been one of the loudest critics.
According to the reports, World Champion Damon Hill asked former F1 driver Johnny Herbert whether the four-time World Champion needs to “shut up and drive”, he stated, “In many respects, yes.”
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This is significant because Max Verstappen isn’t a random driver in Formula 1 complaining about this year’s Formula 1 racing cars. He happens to be one of the most significant names in the sport, and he is listened to when he states that driving a car isn’t fun or enjoyable.
However, several previous drivers and analysts are now feeling that the continual public critiques, once the season starts, are not likely to have any effect on anything.
Why Max Verstappen is being called out
The timing of Johnny Herbert’s comment is not random.
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After just two races of the 2026 season, frustration around the new rules has already become a talking point across the paddock. Drivers have raised concerns about how the cars feel, especially with the new power unit balance and energy management demands.
The criticism has been loud enough that teams reportedly held a virtual meeting to discuss whether any short-term rule tweaks were needed.
According to reports, teams decided not to introduce immediate changes to the racing side after the Chinese Grand Prix, partly because Shanghai still delivered enough overtaking and on-track action to calm fears for now.
That does not mean everything is settled. The same report says qualifying remains a concern, with discussion focused on making sure drivers can push flat out rather than lifting early to manage battery recharge. Teams and drivers are expected to stay involved before the FIA moves toward any formal proposal.
So Herbert’s criticism lands in the middle of a tense moment. Verstappen is saying what plenty of people may be thinking, but others feel the constant negativity risks turning the conversation into a circus before the regulations have even had time to breathe.
The bigger issue behind the comments
This is not really just about one spicy quote.
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It is about the role Max Verstappen plays in Formula 1 now. When a multiple-time world champion speaks, it shapes the mood around the sport. If he keeps hammering the same point, fans start seeing the new era as broken before it has even had a chance to develop.
That is probably where the “shut up and drive more” line is coming from. It is less about silencing criticism completely and more about saying: enough talking, prove it on track.
Still, Max Verstappen’s critics should also be fair. One reason drivers speak out so strongly is that they know how hard it is to fix bad regulations once a direction is locked in. If they stay quiet early, they risk being told later that it is too late to complain.
So, the Max Verstappen criticism is not going away anytime soon, especially if the 2026 cars keep producing mixed reactions.
Also Read: Oscar Piastri’s Tough Yet Promising 2026 Melbourne Start
