Former F1 driver David Coulthard has come to the defence of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who have been openly critical of the new 2026 regulations. During the opening three-day test in Bahrain both drivers voiced their displeasure with the energy management. Verstappen described it on day two as ‘Formula E on steroids’, while Hamilton compared the speeds to Formula 2. Coulthard understands their frustration, precisely because the technology appears, at first glance, to have taken a step backwards.
According to Coulthard, the new rules — and especially the revised power unit — do not yet fully meet expectations. “Yes, they (Hamilton and Verstappen, ed.) have lost something they previously had,” the Scot told talkSPORT. “Imagine I give you an iPhone 3 as a present. Even if it were brand new, you wouldn’t be very grateful. The technology simply isn’t that advanced.”
Bad publicity?
Still, Coulthard believes the core of Formula 1 remains intact, even with the complex 2026 regulations. “When the lights go out, we’re still racing,” he admitted. “The best driver will extract the potential of this technology as well as possible.”
He did stress, however, that Hamilton and Verstappen’s remarks will not sit well with the sport’s governing bodies. The two celebrated champions have cast Formula 1 in an unfavourable light. “The FIA won’t be happy that they’re speaking so openly,” he grinned. “And I’m sure Liberty Media would also prefer to hear praise about how brilliant the sport is.” Still, he played down the fallout from their comments. “Realistically, there is no such thing as bad publicity,” he concluded coolly. “Formula 1 is still on the rise. Brad Pitt has just made his most successful film ever: F1: The Movie.”
