Jan Lammers, former Formula 1 driver and sporting director of the Dutch Grand Prix, has voiced concerns that the current 2026 regulations are significantly hindering the capabilities of top drivers such as Max Verstappen. Lammers’ comments come in response to observations made by commentator Olav Mol.
Lammers contends that the technical framework introduced for the 2026 Formula 1 season is actively impeding the performance of elite talents, specifically naming Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri.
Max Verstappen himself has been a vocal critic of the new regulations this season. The four-time world champion has described the 2026 cars as ‘anti-racing’ and likened them to ‘Formula E on steroids’.
Red Bull Racing has encountered notable challenges with their RB22 car during the current 2026 campaign. Early in the season, the team faced issues with both outright performance and reliability.
During the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this year, Verstappen was forced to retire his car after 45 laps due to a technical failure. In qualifying for the same event, he was nearly a second off pole position.
Analysis of the RB22’s performance indicates poor rear-end stability, particularly evident in high-speed corners. The car’s energy recovery system has also been noted as significantly less efficient.
Despite these difficulties, Verstappen secured his first podium of the 2026 season with a third-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix. This marked his longest wait for a podium in a season since 2018.
More recently, Verstappen achieved a second-place finish at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid on September 13, 2026. He had qualified third for the event, contributing to Red Bull Ford Powertrains’ seventh podium of the season.
Lammers maintains that while Verstappen stands apart, the performance gap between other drivers on the grid is minimal. He suggests that attitude and character are now the primary differentiators among them.
In other remarks this season, Lammers has dismissed speculation regarding Verstappen’s potential departure from Red Bull. He stated that all indications point to Verstappen fulfilling his current contract with the team.
Lammers also drew comparisons between Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, highlighting similarities in their pure approach and mental control.
