Lewis Hamilton has responded to the criticism raised by Max Verstappen, with the Ferrari driver defending the new generation of Formula 1 cars and the current technical regulations.
With these machines, wheel-to-wheel battles in Formula 1 have improved: Lewis Hamilton has answered Max Verstappen and defended the latest technical rules. The seven-time world champion, who was involved in an exciting on-track battle with Charles Leclerc in Shanghai, dismissed the accusations made by his Dutch rival. According to the Briton, the current generation of cars allows drivers to follow more closely, increasing the chances of overtaking and intense racing action.
The new generation of cars continues to divide the paddock. Between super-clipping, energy management, and the significant importance given to the electrical component, there are many critics who would prefer a complete return to more traditional engines. At the same time, there is no shortage of drivers who, sometimes with a touch of irony, have voiced criticism of cars that resemble Super Mario-style go-karts.
Among the most outspoken critics, as expected, is Max Verstappen. The Dutch driver is not only forced to adapt to cars that do not reflect his vision of motorsport, but he is also being slowed by a Red Bull that is currently far from matching its main rivals. However, while the four-time world champion believes these regulations could harm Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton holds the opposite view.
Hamilton: “The best races of my F1 career”
Speaking after the Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton shared his thoughts on the current technical regulations: “The cars are easier to follow, much better than in past years. You can get really close. There isn’t that dirty air where you lose too much downforce. I think these are the best races I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1.”
“Of course, [the Mercedes] overtake us on the straights at crazy speeds, but being able to stay so close to each other… it’s fantastic. It’s positive that we’ve had a good start to the season so far, and we hope it stays that way throughout the year. Considering they have chosen a different solution, with more power, we need to understand how to improve our straight-line speed.”
“I hope it was an exciting race for you to watch, because from inside the cockpit it was incredible. It felt like karting, back and forth, back and forth, and you could really position the car perfectly, sometimes with just a thin sheet of paper between us, but without ever touching. I think that comes down to great drivers and mutual respect,” concluded the British driver.
The success of this new era will eventually be judged by the consistency of the racing across different circuits. If the battles seen in Shanghai become the standard for the rest of the 2026 season, the “Mario Kart” labels may soon be replaced by praise for a more competitive and entertaining grid. Ferrari appears to have found a sweet spot in the regulations, and for Hamilton, the joy of the duel is clearly worth the technical trade-offs.
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