Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Max Verstappen's frustration with Red Bull's 2026 car is fueling his criticism of Formula 1's new regulations. Verstappen called the racing 'a joke' after retiring from the Chinese Grand Prix with a power unit cooling issue while running sixth. The Dutchman has been outspoken about the new 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, comparing it to 'Mario Kart.'

Verstappen's struggles include poor starts due to battery issues and significant tyre degradation, dropping him several positions at each race's beginning. While other drivers like George Russell and Charles Leclerc have praised the racing, Verstappen claims the competition lacks genuine wheel-to-wheel action. He argues that Mercedes and Ferrari dominate due to their superior starts rather than actual racing quality.

Wolff contends that Verstappen's 'horror show' at Red Bull is magnifying the challenges of the new regulations. The Mercedes chief notes that qualifying laps require lifting and coasting, which is particularly difficult for an aggressive driver like Verstappen. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledges 'significant shortcomings' in their package but expects improvements by the Japanese Grand Prix.