Dutch racing driver Renger van der Zande has offered a blunt assessment of Max Verstappen’s prospects for the 2026 Formula 1 season, stating he expects ‘absolutely nothing’ from the reigning champion. This commentary aligns with ongoing discussions surrounding the impact of the current technical regulations. Van der Zande’s remarks come as the F1 season continues, with the Italian Grand Prix weekend underway.
Verstappen himself has been a vocal critic of the 2026 regulations, particularly concerning energy management. He has described the new rules as ‘not very Formula 1-like’ and ‘anti-racing’. The four-time world champion also likened the experience to ‘Formula E on steroids’.
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Verstappen expressed his anticipation of a ‘painful’ weekend. He cited the circuit’s energy-inefficient nature as a significant challenge under the current regulations. Verstappen noted that drivers cannot push flat out and must manage the throttle.
Van der Zande, a seasoned GT and LMP competitor, previously highlighted Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of perfection. In June 2026, he recounted an instance where Verstappen’s demands caused tension with Mercedes during a GT outing.
Verstappen reportedly brought his own shock absorbers for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 car at the Nordschleife. This move reportedly ‘pissed off’ AMG, who preferred their standard German-brand components.
Beyond technical demands, Van der Zande also criticised Verstappen’s media approach in April 2025. He found Verstappen’s brief, one-word responses following penalties to be ‘shameful’ and ‘negative’.
Meanwhile, the Red Bull Racing team is currently navigating a temporary driver change. Liam Lawson is deputising for Isack Hadjar at the Italian Grand Prix. Hadjar is recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the summer break.
Lawson also replaced Hadjar at the preceding Dutch Grand Prix, where he secured a seventh-place finish. For the Monza event, Yuki Tsunoda is filling Lawson’s regular seat at Racing Bulls.
The situation required Lawson to prepare for both the Red Bull and Racing Bulls cars. He only received confirmation on Wednesday regarding which car he would drive at Monza.
Lawson noted significant differences between the two vehicles, particularly the Red Bull’s high-speed grip. He described the balance and steering feedback as ‘very, very different’.
For the 2026 season, Liam Lawson is officially partnered with Arvid Lindblad at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar form the primary lineup for Oracle Red Bull Racing.
The 2027 driver market remains active, with several seats still unconfirmed across the grid. Both Red Bull and Racing Bulls have unresolved positions beyond the current season.
