In the recent edition of the Dutch Grand Prix of Formula 1, Max Verstappen expressed his opinion on the competitiveness of drivers between teams with the new 2026 cars. According to the Red Bull driver, the ease with which the vehicles of this generation can be driven contributes to the reduction of time differences among teammates.
During qualifying in Zandvoort, Liam Lawson, who filled in for the named Isack Hadjar, managed to qualify eighth, just a tenth behind Verstappen. On the other hand, Yuki Tsunoda also surprised with his performance in the first race of 2026, showing a performance similar to that of his usual teammate, Arvid Lindblad.
Verstappen commented: ‘I think that with these cars it is easier to find the limit, especially in this qualifying phase. The drivers can adapt more quickly, and this translates into tighter time marks among them.’ Furthermore, he emphasized that the trend of small time differences can already be observed throughout the season.
However, Verstappen’s perspective does not align with that of Andrea Stella, McLaren’s director. Stella argues that the new cars are not as easy to handle as Verstappen suggests. According to him, the new power unit regulations have added additional complications for the drivers. ‘Our drivers classify the current cars as difficult to drive, and the variations between them can be significant depending on the moment,’ said Stella.
This debate between the two renowned figures of Formula 1 underscores the divergence of opinions on the difficulty and competition within the current championship. With each race, strategies and opinions continue to evolve, reaffirming the intense competitive dynamics characteristic of Formula 1.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_e16791363187ccc3bd5a721561ba5a37791bb90b