Even Verstappen is appreciating Monaco while criticism of F1 persists.

      Even Max Verstappen has found himself complimenting Formula 1's contentious 2026 cars in Monaco. The Dutch driver and his father Jos have been among the most vocal critics of the new regulations, which have faced considerable ridicule for their heavy dependence on energy management. However, Monaco's distinct layout largely mitigated those concerns, allowing drivers to compete more freely.

      "This is how Formula 1 ought to be," Jos Verstappen told De Limburger after the qualifying session. "Not intentionally taking corners slower and all that nonsense – just full throttle." His son, a four-time world champion who qualified P2 behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, concurred, stating that Monaco showcased the potential of the cars at their best.

      "I think the chassis regulations aren't bad at all," Verstappen remarked. "In general, the cars being a bit narrower and such, I think it's alright." He also noted improvements in visibility. "I quite like that the view around the apexes is better now with the front axle," the Red Bull driver said. Most importantly, Monaco allowed drivers to utilize the car more instinctively. "If you can go flat out and just choose the gears you want to use in the corners, it’s always going to be better," Verstappen commented. "I finally felt like myself again in the car. That definitely made it feel more natural to drive."

      However, not all drivers shared the same sentiments. Lewis Hamilton, who placed P3 for Ferrari, echoed Fernando Alonso's renewed criticism of the current generation of cars. "Probably one of my least favorite generations I've driven around here," stated the seven-time world champion. Hamilton highlighted the decreased downforce, increased tyre pressures, and diminished mechanical grip compared to earlier eras. "I remember being here in 2007 and 2008, and there was so much more grip," he recalled. "It was way more fun back then." He believes Formula 1 reached its peak only a few years ago. "Maybe 2020 was the best period for us, grip-wise," Hamilton added.

      Meanwhile, Alonso, positioned at the very back, reinforced his earlier critiques during Monaco. "There's nothing that can be done," said the Aston Martin veteran. "It’s what we have until 2030." He suggested that ongoing discussions about future engine and chassis changes indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the current setup. "We're talking about changing the engine for next year and altering the regulations for 2030," Alonso mentioned. "That shows that nobody is satisfied with the current cars." He noted that whether critical drivers choose to speak up is up to them, but ultimately, the same car will be used by everyone until 2030.