F1 Rules Showdown: Hamilton and Verstappen's Opposing Views
Mar.27 - Lewis Hamilton says he is enjoying Formula 1 more than ever under the controversial 2026 regulations - despite ongoing criticism from Max Verstappen.
While Verstappen has repeatedly slammed the new era for its heavy energy management and lift-and-coast characteristics, Hamilton says the on-track product reminds him of his early racing days.
"If you go back to karting, it's exactly the same - it goes back and forth, back and forth," he said.
"This is what racing should be - not one manoeuvre and that's it."
Hamilton still criticized the rules on battery deployment and also said he was not a fan of active aero.
The contrasting views have sparked debate across the paddock, with former Haas team boss Gunther Steiner suggesting both sides may be influenced by competitiveness and politics rather than principle.
"I'm sure both are trying to stir things up," Steiner told Sport Bild.
"Of course, they listen to the drivers, but in the end, the FIA and the teams decide on the regulations together - not the drivers."
Steiner pointed to the current competitive picture as a key factor.
"Hamilton is in a significantly better position this year and has a competitive car - that's why he's satisfied. If Verstappen is back at the front, he'll probably assess the rules differently," he said.
5 F1 Fan comments on “F1 Rules Showdown: Hamilton and Verstappen's Opposing Views”
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I'll take what Lewis said on face value. He criticised the rules, but enjoyed the racing. One thing he may want to think about is that he's only able to race with his team mate. He said that racing shouldn't be someone passing and vanishing and there should be back and forth. Over the race distance, nobody can duke it out with the Mercedes with a chance of actually winning the race. Hopefully that could change in Monaco and we might get a Ferrari win... and hopefully even a one-two. They'd have to work together for that and stick with a Prost - Senna like agreement that whoever leads out of turn one will be the victor. Obviously with the exception that both should honour the agreement as Prost did and not ignore it like Senna.
Lewis’ karting comparison is at least somewhat invalid in the big picture.
Shes deliberately using the karting comparison to upset those who are complaining and saying its like Mario C,find another girlguide artical bout her! saying F1 should be like Karting just plying silly games
No other sport do they change the rules so that the skills needed to compete change.This is not F1 akills it is energy management and a battery championship.
They should have listened to Max in 2023 and they should be listening now.
Showcasing driver skills as it has always been in F1 should be the priority, not energy management or battery championship.
In a way it's the same as it ever was.
The deciding factor has always been the car and then after that, the fiercest competition has often been between evenly matched drivers within teams.
Doesn't make the new formatt any more exciting though.