Max Verstappen Told to “Shut Up and Drive” as F1 Complaints Spark Backlash

Ex-F1 driver and Steward Johnny Herbert has urged Max Verstappen to 'shut up' and put his mind in the game amid 2026 regulation woes.

Max Verstappen Told to “Shut Up and Drive” as F1 Complaints Spark Backlash

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

In Short
  • Max Verstappen faces backlash for criticizing the 2026 F1 regulations amid a poor start to the season.
  • Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert advises Verstappen to focus on driving rather than complaining about the car's performance.
  • Damon Hill suggests Verstappen's lack of diplomacy is evident in his honest opinions, which may affect his future in the sport.

Max Verstappen has received his fair share of backlash following his intense criticism of the 2026 regulations. The Dutchman is suffering from the worst start to a season in his career, and thus feels that the complex regulations are to blame for this. Now, former F1 driver Johnny Herbert urges the four-time champion to put his head in the game and stop complaining constantly.

Following a DNF at the Chinese GP, Max Verstappen continued his tirade against the new regulations. The Dutchman insisted that he would have similar opinions about the regulations even if he were winning races and was on the receiving end of the bargain. Verstappen even reflected that it was just the Mercedes drivers who were capable of winning races, with others not even coming close to replicating their performances.

In a recent podcast appearance, Johnny Herbert was questioned if Max Verstappen simply needed to shut up and drive. The Englishman boldly agreed to this and claimed that Verstappen needed to do so in many respects. Herbert continued that it was bound to be nice if he were racing in a winning car and achieving victories from the get-go. Meanwhile, it was a completely different struggle to be in a poor-performing car.

Still, Johnny Herbert accepted that Max Verstappen hadn’t suffered from such a bad season in his career. Thus, his complaints and frustrations were understandable as he might not be able to cope with so many losses. Regardless, Herbert is confident that Verstappen is good enough for many more championship victories and does not need to quit prematurely because of temporary struggles.

In many respects, yes (Max needs to shut up and drive). It’s always very nice when you’re in the best car. It’s always a bit of a struggle when you’re not in the best car. He hasn’t had a bad career thus far; there are still many more things that he’s going to be able to achieve in F1, as in another world championship or three.

Johnny Herbert said on the Stay on Track podcast.

Former F1 champion claims ‘diplomacy’ not Max Verstappen’s thing

Certainly, Max Verstappen does not hesitate to speak out about his mind while facing problems. The Dutchman has remained brutally honest about his opinions on the new regulations. As such, because of his honesty, he is landing in hot water and receiving backlash. Now, 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill claims that diplomacy was never Verstappen’s strong suit, and he is simply being himself now.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Damon Hill reckons that it is a good thing that Max Verstappen is not good with diplomacy. The four-time champion has already hinted at quitting the sport if he doesn’t sit right with the regulations. Hill pointed out that people weren’t taking his comments seriously because they felt he was moaning while losing. Ultimately, F1 doesn’t want Verstappen to quit the sport and get the thrills in another category of racing.

Diplomacy is not his thing, I’m saying it’s good, you’ll always get a direct, honest opinion from him. He will say what he really thinks. Only the trouble he’s got now is that it does sound like, because he hasn’t got the car that can win, if he moans, it’s about that, it’s not about the formula necessarily. Because what F1 doesn’t want is for Max to decide ‘I’m going somewhere else to get my thrills’.

Damon Hill said on the Stay on Track podcast.

The 2026 season has just started and has 20 more races to go. Certainly, it might be too late to make massive changes to the regulations. However, Max Verstappen believes that small changes can go a long way and help improve the racing product. Verstappen’s continuation in F1 depends on how seriously the governing body takes his criticism and agrees to change.

Read More: Max Verstappen Rejects “Struggle” Theory Behind Joke F1 Car Comments