Verstappen jokes about new regulations: 'Need bananas'

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Verstappen jokes about bananas after new regulations for 2026
6 June at 22:47
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  • Tim Kraaij

Max Verstappen, like all other drivers, has seen the new regulations for 2026. The electrical systems and overtaking were topics of conversation during the press moment with the Red Bull driver in Canada.

"Yeah, maybe you need some bananas and some extra fuel," joked Verstappen. It immediately set the tone of the Dutchman's reaction to the newly presented regulations. Where many a driver worries about the future, Verstappen is light-hearted and jokes about the new overtaking system as if he were talking about a game of Mario Kart.

Verstappen on the new regulations

"If it works well, it works well, right? I honestly find that a bit difficult at the moment to pinpoint because it's going to depend a lot on how well you can follow as well, and then how effective the [electric] boost is, and how slow the recharge mode is. There are a lot of things that I still need to think about. I think it's important for everyone, even those who are designing or getting the rules together, to understand how well everything is going to work."

Verstappen joked about banana peels like it was Mario Kart, but asked if he is not worried that the sport will become too complicated, he states: "I hope not, let's say it like that. But at the moment, it's still a bit of a question mark for a lot of people, how everything is going to turn out. It definitely needs a few more simulations."

Fernando Alonso was very critical of the goal of making the cars 30 kilograms lighter. Verstappen also fears this is an unrealistic goal. "At the moment, that is going to be very tough with how everything is, but let's see. Even now, some teams are overweight."