Verstappen criticizes penalties for fastest F1 drivers
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 23, 2026, 5:03 PM
Last updated Jul 23, 2026
Max Verstappen addressed concerns surrounding penalties for top F1 drivers during media day in Budapest following Oscar Piastri's comments about energy management. Piastri described the self-learning features of the 2026 power unit as "crap," arguing that they put drivers at a disadvantage. The discussions reflect ongoing tensions within the sport regarding new technologies and rules that affect race strategies and performance.
- •Verstappen shared his thoughts on penalties for fast drivers.
- •Oscar Piastri criticized self-learning algorithms in F1.
- •Discussions arose after the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
- •Media day in Budapest focused on energy management topics.
- •Drivers express concerns over adapting to new regulations.
- 5:03 PMAutosport — "You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised
- 5:00 PMMotorsport.com — Max Verstappen: "At first they said I was complaining – now more people see what F1 2026 is like"
"Following the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, and particularly Oscar Piastri's strong comments, one topic dominates media day in Budapest: energy management, more specifically the self-learning aspects of the 2026 power unit. Piastri called it "crap" that drivers can be caught out by forward-thinking algorithms which adapt based on what they learn over time. It means that extremely small ...Keep reading
"Following the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, and particularly Oscar Piastri's strong comments, one topic dominates media day in Budapest: energy management, more specifically the self-learning aspects of the 2026 power unit. Piastri called it "crap" that drivers can be caught out by forward-thinking algorithms which adapt based on what they learn over time. It means that extremely small ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- AutosportJul 23, 2026, 5:03 PM"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised
Following the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, and particularly Oscar Piastri's strong comments, one topic dominates media day in Budapest: energy management, more specifically the self-learning aspects of the 2026 power unit. Piastri called it "crap" that drivers can be caught out by forward-thinking algorithms which adapt based on what they learn over time. It means that extremely small ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comJul 23, 2026, 5:00 PMMax Verstappen: "At first they said I was complaining – now more people see what F1 2026 is like"
Following the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, and particularly Oscar Piastri's strong comments, one topic dominates media day in Budapest: energy management, more specifically the self-learning aspects of the 2026 power unit. Piastri called it "crap" that drivers can be caught out by forward-thinking algorithms which adapt based on what they learn over time. It means that extremely small ...Keep reading
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