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SAKHIR – Max Verstappen says it’s “no fun” to drive the brand new Formula 1 automobiles and sweeping changes for 2026 imply the sequence now not appears like F1.
Regulation adjustments for 2026 have made automobiles smaller and lighter, with a key function for the technique of charging an on-board battery and utilizing electrical power to spice up pace.
“It’s actually no fun at all to drive,” the four-time champion informed broadcaster Sky Sport in a German-language interview throughout testing on Thursday, likening it to the all-electric sequence Formula E, the place managing power is essential to technique. “What should I say about that? It’s a bit like Formula E on steroids.”
Verstappen predicted it will be troublesome to handle the automobile’s power at tracks like Melbourne, which hosts the season-opening Australian Grand Prix subsequent month.
“I don’t know what else to do about it, you know, it isn’t the original Formula 1 feeling any more,” mentioned Verstappen, who was second-fastest on the opening day of testing Wednesday and sat out Thursday.
Leclerc quickest on Day 2
Charles Leclerc led the best way for Ferrari on Thursday, going quickest by half a second from champion Lando Norris.
While some rivals hit reliability points, Leclerc’s efficiency was an encouraging signal for Ferrari following its winless 2025 season.
McLaren’s Norris, who had been fastest Wednesday, racked up probably the most laps on Thursday with 149, near triple a full Bahrain Grand Prix race distance.
Oliver Bearman was third-fastest for Haas, which had one other sturdy day after Esteban Ocon was fourth on Wednesday.
There have been points at Mercedes, the place Kimi Antonelli managed simply three laps within the morning earlier than handing over to George Russell, and at Red Bull, the place Isack Hadjar spent a lot of the morning ready for the staff to get his automobile operating.
Teams can solely run one automobile on observe within the take a look at. As effectively as Verstappen, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari was amongst these to take a seat out the day.
There are three days of testing this week, with three extra subsequent week.
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AP Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
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