Why George Russell is Fighting Max Verstappen Over the F1 Rulebook
· Yahoo Sports
Max Verstappen wants to rip up the 2026 Formula 1 rulebook. The Red Bull driver recently stated that driving the new hybrid cars is mentally exhausting. He even joked that the grid could put on a better show in rental cars. Verstappen is now demanding a 60-40 combustion-to-electric power split for next year, calling it the bare minimum requirement to keep him in the sport.
But George Russell completely disagrees.
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Russell’s Affair With New Regulations
While the four-time world champion complains about the complex battery management, Russell is actively praising the current regulations. Following a fierce on-track fight with his teammate Kimi Antonelli at the Canadian Grand Prix, the Mercedes star strongly defended the 2026 machinery.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – MAY 22: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on May 22, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202605220736 // Usage for editorial use only //“I haven’t seen a battle like this probably since Lewis and Nico in Bahrain 2014,” Russell explained via Motorsport.com. He credited the new systems for creating the close racing. “And these new cars allow you to do that. These new engines allow you to do that”.
Russell thinks the ongoing criticism is unfair. Some drivers hate the tactical battery strategies, but Russell pointed out that the FIA already fixed the biggest safety issues earlier this season.
“The biggest concern was lift and coast on a quali lap – that’s now gone,” Russell argued earlier this month. He also noted that the severe loss of straight-line speed during qualifying is no longer a problem.
Russell even threw a bit of shade at the drivers still complaining about the performance gap. “There’s always going to be people who aren’t happy about it, and especially people further down the order,” he stated. According to him, the drivers asked for specific fixes, the FIA delivered them, and the rules are now working exactly as intended.
The paddock is officially split into two camps. Verstappen wants a massive engine overhaul to save the sport. Russell thinks the sport is already delivering classic, 2014-level fights. As the FIA looks toward 2027, this political war is only going to get hotter.