Max Verstappen scores big with F1 rule change he wanted, while Red Bull’s future stays unsure
Four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is finally going to get the big rule change he’s been hoping for, as talks about his racing future continue.
This year has been tough for Verstappen and Red Bull. The four-time champ is currently sixth in the 2026 standings and hasn’t won a race all season. Trying to win his fifth Championship, Max has earned just 109 points, had four podium finishes, and struggled a lot with the car.
Red Bull’s drop in performance came with new rules on the chassis and power unit that Verstappen isn’t happy with—especially the boost to the hybrid system’s electrical side. Right now, the rules split electrical energy usage about half and half, but Max has pushed hard to reduce that for 2027 and 2028.
His concerns gained more attention after a big crash in Japan involving Oliver Bearman, leading to some small rule tweaks before the Miami Grand Prix. The new 2026 rules have been called unsafe by some drivers, and Verstappen is closer to seeing the changes he wants.
In 2027, F1 will switch to a 58:42 split for electrical energy, moving toward 60:40 by 2028—that’s the minimum Max wants. Stefano Domenicali, F1’s CEO, said he’s talked with Max about easing these rules. Max feels the current setup forces drivers into odd driving styles, uses too much electric power, and he’d be happy with at least a 60:40 split.
F1 is responding with these changes spread over two years, allowing more combustion power and adjusting how the power is delivered. Domenicali shared that drivers who’ve tested the new rules agree it’s a step in the right direction.
He also made it clear these changes aren’t just because of Max. “To change regulations, teams and manufacturers must agree with the FIA and F1 Management,” Domenicali explained. The decision to make these changes slowly by 2028 helps keep costs down.
Max will get the split he wants by 2028, which Domenicali thinks will make him very happy—especially with rumors swirling that Max might leave the sport. Despite those rumors, the CEO believes Max loves F1 and plans to stay for a long time.
“I have a great working relationship with him,” Domenicali said. “F1 is big enough for him, but of course, he’ll decide what’s best for his future. We’re talking a lot about his plans and the rules ahead. My feeling is that Max will stay, and I really hope he does.”