Lewis Hamilton Hails 2026 F1 Rules as “Real Racing” While Max Verstappen Slams Them

Lewis Hamilton has opposite remarks from Max Verstappen on the 2026 regulations as he enjoys racing more now.

Lewis Hamilton Hails 2026 F1 Rules as “Real Racing” While Max Verstappen Slams Them

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via XPBimages)

In Short
  • Lewis Hamilton praises the 2026 F1 regulations as promoting "real racing" and encourages more competitive battles on the track.
  • Max Verstappen criticizes the new rules, comparing the racing experience to "Mario Kart" and suggesting it resembles "Formula E on steroids."
  • Hamilton expresses disappointment with certain aspects of the new power units, particularly the power deployment and active aero features.

Lewis Hamilton has issued some contrasting remarks to Max Verstappen‘s criticism of the 2026 regulations. The Briton has started the new season on a much better note and has achieved his career-first podium finish with Ferrari in China. As such, Hamilton labels the new regulations as ‘real racing’ as he looks forward to the upcoming Japanese GP.

Max Verstappen has remained one of the biggest critics of the 2026 regulations in Formula 1. The Dutchman went as far as calling the racing experience playing “Mario Kart”. He even believed that F1 was now becoming more like “Formula E on steroids”. However, many believe that Verstappen’s criticism stems from his poor performance under the new rules.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who is enjoying the season of his career, has some opposite remarks to Max Verstappen. Hamilton recalled the junior karting days and how racing was back and forth back then. The seven-time champion believes that it was the best form of racing, and no one criticized it back then. Meanwhile, Formula 1 hadn’t been at its best for over 20 years, with the 2026 season seemingly offering cars that can follow through.

If you go back to karting, it’s the same thing, People are going back and forth, you can never pull away. No one ever has ever referred to go-karting as yo-yo racing. It’s the best form of racing. And Formula 1 has not been the best form of racing in a long, long time. Out of all the cars that I’ve driven in 20 years, this is the only car that you can actually follow through high-speed [corners] and not completely lose everything that you have.

Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by motorsport.com.

Lewis Hamilton asserted that Formula 1 racing should be like this, with the drivers going back and forth constantly on the track. Hamilton noted that they shouldn’t make one move on the track and be done with the overtake. Ultimately, the 41-year-old liked this sort of racing and wants to witness more battles amongst the teams and drivers at the forefront.

That’s how racing should be. It should be back and forth, back and forth. It shouldn’t be like one move is done and that’s it. So I personally like that sort of racing. We just need all the rest of the teams to close up so we have more of those battles amongst the teams.

Lewis Hamilton added.

Lewis Hamilton reveals ‘disappointment’ with 2026 F1 regulations

Despite performing much better in 2026, there are certainly some factors that Lewis Hamilton doesn’t like about the new regulations. For instance, Hamilton doesn’t sit right with the electrical component of the new power units. As such, the 41-year-old accepts that there are many drivers who do not like the regulations, and rightly so, as they are suffering from extremely disappointing results.

Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari)
Lewis Hamilton (via Ferrari)

Lewis Hamilton accepted that he personally enjoyed driving under the new regulations as the cars were lighter and more nimble, and overall fun to drive. Meanwhile, Hamilton brutally noted that he was disappointed with the power of deployment in the power unit. Moreover, he did not like the straight mode with active aero in the modern challengers.

It’s definitely a lot different, I think a lot of the drivers are not enjoying it, but I don’t really know. I’m just personally enjoying it. It’s a lighter car. It’s a bit more nimble, a bit more bizarre, more fun to drive. Do I love the power of deployment? Absolutely not. I’m actually really disappointed. Do I love the SM [straight mode with active aero]? Not particularly. But as a whole, I think it’s exciting for the sport.

Lewis Hamilton noted.

For now, many teams and drivers are managing expectations in terms of performance in the 2026 season. Certainly, Lewis Hamilton has set himself up well to achieve great results under the new regulations. It will be exciting to witness Hamilton finally return to the victory lane following his winless streak in the 2025 season.

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