Max Verstappen Gets Brutal Reality Check From Close Ally Over Constant 2026 Complaints

Max Verstappen has delivered some scathing remarks about the 2026 F1 regulations. It is understandable coming from Verstappen, as he is suffering from one of the worst starts to a season in his career. Now, the Dutchman’s brother-in-law, Nelson Piquet Jr., has revealed how the 28-year-old would’ve been appreciative of the regulations, had he been driving for Mercedes.

Throughout the 2025 season, Max Verstappen was strongly linked to a move to Mercedes amid Red Bull’s struggles. However, Verstappen reaffirmed his loyalty to Milton Keynes and claimed that he wished to finish his career with them. Now, while criticizing the 2026 regulations, the Dutchman did accept that the teams and drivers winning under the rules wouldn’t be so critical of it.

Nelson Piquet Jr. has similar thoughts to this and provided a reality check to Max Verstappen. Kelly Piquet’s brother, who will soon become a brother-in-law to Verstappen, boldly claimed that the latter wouldn’t have made such scathing remarks if he were racing in the Mercedes car. Piquet Jr. emphasized that the four-time champion would’ve been ‘quiet as a mouse,’ if he were on the winning end of the regulations.

Further, Nelson Piquet Jr. reiterated that Max Verstappen‘s point-of-view about the regulations would be completely different. The Brazilian is confident that there would have been a stark difference in opinion for the four-time champion. Regardless, the regulations are certainly difficult, and are providing a tough time to many drivers on the track. As such, changes to the rules wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

If Max had been in the Mercedes car, he would have been as quiet as a mouse, He wouldn’t have said anything [about the regulations]. You can count on that.

Nelson Piquet Jr. said on the Pelas Pistas podcast.

Nelson Piquet Jr. reveals which season Max Verstappen found the “most interesting”

Over the years in Formula 1, Max Verstappen has suffered from various types of seasons. The Dutchman intensely dominated the competition during the 2023 season and won 19 out of 22 races. On the other hand, he struggled to win against Daniel Ricciardo in the standings back in 2017. As such, Nelson Piquet Jr. ponders over the season in which the four-time champion might find the most interesting.

Nelson Piquet Jr. highlighted that if Max Verstappen had to choose which year he found the most interesting, the one where he won the championship in the final race, or the one where he won it five races before the ultimate race, he would certainly choose the latter. Piquet Jr. pointed out that Verstappen wanted to win all the races possible. Hence, it is understandable that the 28-year-old is so critical of the new regulations.

If you ask Max which year he found most interesting – the year he won the championship in the last race or the year he became champion with five races to go – he would choose the latter. He wants to win every race. So yes, it makes sense that he speaks like that [about the regulations].

Nelson Piquet Jr. noted.

The 2026 season is likely not going to receive any significant changes in the years to come. Despite Max Verstappen’s current condition, he will have to keep his head in the game and give it his all on track. It will be interesting to witness how the 28-year-old manages to bounce back from the difficulties and return to his winning ways.

Read More: Jonathan Wheatley Exposes the Real Reason Behind Max Verstappen’s “Mario Kart” Claim over 2026 Cars

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