Verstappen describes it as '10/10 fun' despite F1 frustrations.

      Max Verstappen described his weekend at the Nurburgring as "definitely a ten" out of ten in terms of enjoyment, a stark contrast to his current feelings in Formula 1. The four-time world champion shifted his attention to GT3 cars between the Chinese and Japanese grands prix, achieving a pole-to-win result in the NLS round before being disqualified for using one extra set of tires. "Definitely a ten," Verstappen stated when asked to evaluate the experience. The Dutch driver has openly expressed his displeasure with the 2026 regulations in Formula 1, frequently criticizing the new era. However, he maintains that his frustration isn't solely due to Red Bull's lack of competitiveness. It has now come to light that the RB22 is considerably overweight—by as much as 28.5 kilograms—resulting in an approximate loss of a second per lap compared to the minimum weight limit. "That overweight costs them a second per lap," confirmed simulator driver Rudy van Buren. "The significant improvements for Red Bull are related to weight." Nevertheless, much of Verstappen's criticism continues to focus on the driving style necessitated by the new rules, particularly the emphasis on energy management and lift-and-coast techniques. Former driver and GPDA chairman Alex Wurz expressed his understanding of the Dutchman's sentiments. "He’s clearly not satisfied with the current situation, including his team's position and the regulations—and I completely understand that," Wurz said on ORF. "But we can't change it overnight. All we can do now is adapt." Wurz believes that progress will come gradually. "Teams will improve, and his team will also enhance its performance," he noted. He also pointed out a fundamental issue with the current format. "It should once again reward those who spend more time on the throttle and less on the brakes. Right now, it's quite the opposite—and I understand why that's frustrating." For the time being, Verstappen is anticipated to spend more time at the Nordschleife, especially with the calendar gap in April caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix. "I’ll try to race as much as I can," he mentioned. "We're exploring what's feasible." However, Ralf Schumacher cautioned that Verstappen must not lose sight of his primary responsibilities. "Max needs to maintain focus," he remarked. "This year he doesn’t have the best car, and when he pushes too hard, he makes mistakes. Now is the time to accept the situation and assist the team."