Verstappen admits he's conflicted over F1 future after 'Mario Kart' dig at rules

Max Verstappen has joked he has swapped his simulator for playing Mario Kart in order to practice Formula 1’s new rules.

Four-time world champion Verstappen has been one of the most vocal critics about F1’s overhauled regulations for 2026, branding them as “anti-racing” and as “Formula E on steroids” during pre-season testing.

Verstappen remained consistent in his criticism as he hit out at the new rules once again following the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, in which he charged from 20th on the grid to finish sixth.

The Red Bull driver has now aimed a cheeky dig at F1 in the FIA press conference ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Asked if drivers using the simulator have a bigger advantage than in the past, Verstappen joked: “I found a cheaper solution, I swapped the simulator for my Nintendo Switch.

“I'm practicing with Mario Kart, actually. Finding the mushrooms is going quite well, the blue shells is a bit more difficult.

“I’m working on it. The rocket is still not there, it’s coming!”

During his early battle with victor George Russell in Melbourne, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc quipped over team radio: “This is like the mushroom in Mario Kart.”

Verstappen also offered a sarcastic response when asked whether F1’s battery management issues will be better at the less power-hungry Shanghai circuit.

“No, I’m confident. Brilliant,” he said in a deadpan manner.

Verstappen having conflicting thoughts on future

In response to Verstappen’s concerns over the new regulations, F1 president Stefano Domenicali expressed confidence that the Dutchman will not leave the sport.

Verstappen, who last year said he didn’t see himself “hanging around” if he did not find the new F1 cars “fun” to drive, insisted quitting is not his intention.

“I don't want to leave, really. Like I said, I wish I had a bit more fun, for sure,” the 28-year-old explained.

“But I'm also doing other stuff that's a lot of fun. I get to race the Nordschleife. I hope in the coming years, I can do Spa, hopefully Le Mans.

"So, I'm combining stuff to find other stuff that I find really fun as well. And of course, my team going on. So I have a lot of distractions at the same time. Positive distractions, I would call it.

“But at the same time, it's a bit conflicted because I don't really enjoy to drive the car, but I do enjoy working with all the people in the team and from the engine department as well.

“So it’s almost like a bit of a mind****. I can’t swear, it’s €5k now! I don’t want to leave. But I also hope, of course, that it gets better.

“I've had discussions with F1 and FIA, and I think we are working towards something hopefully that will improve everything.”

When pressed if he is resigned to F1 being this way for the next few years, Verstappen replied: “I definitely hope not for the next few years!

“But I hope already for next year we can already make a decent improvement. There are a few options we are discussing.”