Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Unite to Shut Down ‘Dangerous’ 2026 F1 Start Claims

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have joined together to dismiss claims of F1 starts being dangerous under the 2026 regulations.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Unite to Shut Down ‘Dangerous’ 2026 F1 Start Claims

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via Getty)

In Short
  • Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen dismissed claims that the new 2026 F1 race starts are 'unsafe.'
  • Hamilton emphasized that the new start procedure is simply longer, not dangerous.
  • Valtteri Bottas raised concerns for drivers at the back of the grid but agreed there is no inherent danger in the new regulations.

The 2026 F1 regulations have received far from positive reviews from many of the drivers on track. Even the veterans of the sport, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, have delivered far from ideal opinions on the new regulations. Now, following the second pre-season test, both arch-rivals unite to dismiss some complaints about the upcoming set of regulations, especially concerns surrounding the race starts.

Many of the drivers had claimed that the race starts under the new regulations were ‘borderline unsafe‘ and felt like competing in Formula 2. Max Verstappen even joked about how Formula 1 now felt like “Formula E on steroids,” with Sergio Perez having similar claims as well. Now, despite the initial negativity around the regulations, Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen dismiss the claims that the race starts are ‘unsafe’.

Lewis Hamilton reassured everyone that the regulations were not unsafe and demanded that people take away that connotation from their minds. Though he accepted that it was a completely different race start procedure now. Hamilton pointed out that the new race start procedure was longer than before, and drivers could have to stay still even after the five lights went off.

It is definitely not dangerous, and I think we should probably take that connotation away from it, just because it is a different procedure, It is just a longer procedure than it has been in the past, so right now, if you put the five lights up, we would all still be standing there when the lights went out for a little bit longer, but you can still pull away without the turbo going.

Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by RacingNews365..

Max Verstappen then joined Lewis Hamilton’s chain of thoughts and added a hilarious comment of his own on the matter. Verstappen joked that if the drivers felt unsafe, they could always start the race from the pit lane. He continued that because of the regulations, the drivers starting from the pit lane would join the racing pack by four corners on track anyway.

You should start in the pit lane if you feel unsafe. You’ll catch up by Turn 4 anyway to the back of the pack.

Max Verstappen asserted.

Valtteri Bottas reveals concerns for drivers starting at the back of the grid

The new start procedure meant that the drivers needed to wait some time in their starting positions while waiting for the turbo to kick in and help them start the race correctly. Though this could be a benefit for the drivers at the front, those at the back would be at a disadvantage. Valtteri Bottas, who might be expecting to start a few races from the back because of Cadillac’s inexperience, has revealed his concerns.

Valtteri Bottas (via Getty)
Valtteri Bottas (via Getty)

Valtteri Bottas noted that the sport needed to figure something out in the matter. He explained that the drivers trying to rev up and spool their engines might not be able to react to the five lights going out. However, Bottas accepted that it was just an issue for the drivers at the back of the grid. Ultimately, he agreed with what Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen said and concluded that revving the engines was not dangerous for the drivers.

We’ve got to figure something out for that because my only concern is that if you are at the back of the grid for the race start, once you start holding your revs, the lights will already start going, and you won’t have enough time to get the turbo spinning. But it is only an issue for drivers at the back, but we will find solutions, and I don’t see any element of danger in just having longer rev holds.

Valtteri Bottas said, as reported by RacingNews365.

The 2026 regulations seem to be exciting for now. Many drivers and teams can start the season afresh and prove their mettle on the track. For now, none of the drivers or teams seems to be the clear favorite to perform well over the season. Hence, it will be interesting to witness which team manages to achieve the best possible development as soon as possible.

Read More: Fernando Alonso Exposes ‘Big Reason’ Behind Aston Martin’s 2026 Pre-Season Struggles