BREAKING: Max Verstappen Makes Bizarre ‘Shopping Trolley’ Claim Over New 2026… Read more
Max Verstappen Makes Bizarre ‘Shopping Trolley’ Claim Over New 2026 Formula 1 Cars
By Hugo Harvey
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has delivered one of the most unusual comparisons of the new generation of F1 machinery, claiming he would happily race a shopping trolley if that was what the regulations demanded.
The Dutch driver, who has dominated the modern era of Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing, has not hidden his skepticism about the sweeping regulation changes introduced for the 2026 season. Speaking ahead of the opening race at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Verstappen offered a humorous yet telling response about how he intends to approach the new cars.
Despite his criticism of the rules overhaul, Verstappen insisted that his job remains the same regardless of how the cars feel to drive.
“I don’t really like to overcomplicate it too much,” he told reporters. “If I have to drive this car… if I have to race a shopping trolley, I drive it to the limit of what a shopping trolley can do.”
The remark quickly became one of the most talked-about quotes in the paddock, conjuring amusing images of the reigning champion flying around Melbourne’s fast street circuit in a supermarket cart. Yet behind the humour was a clear message: Verstappen intends to push the new generation of cars as hard as possible, even if he is not particularly fond of them.
The 28-year-old has been one of the most outspoken critics of the 2026 rules package. Formula 1’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, introduced the changes in a bid to make the sport more sustainable and technologically relevant while also improving racing.
Under the new regulations, the cars are smaller and lighter than their predecessors, while the power units have undergone a dramatic shift in philosophy. Although the familiar 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid architecture remains, the electrical component of the powertrain has been significantly increased.
The new systems produce a near 50-50 split between the internal combustion engine and electrical power, thanks to a massive increase in output from the MGU-K energy recovery system. At the same time, the MGU-H a key component of the previous hybrid era has been removed entirely.
These changes represent a major challenge for teams and drivers alike. For Red Bull, the transition is particularly significant, as the 2026 season marks the debut of its first fully in-house power unit developed through Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford Motor Company.
Verstappen has already voiced concerns about how the new cars behave on track. Earlier in the build-up to the season, he famously compared the driving experience to “Formula E on steroids,” referencing the all-electric Formula E championship.
Those comments reportedly prompted discussions between Verstappen and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was keen to reassure the champion about the direction of the sport.
Even so, Verstappen has doubled down on his feelings, admitting that the 2026 machines are his least favourite cars since he made his Formula 1 debut in 2015.
Still, the Dutchman emphasised that adaptability is a key trait of any elite racing driver. According to him, the best drivers will always find a way to extract performance regardless of the machinery beneath them.
“It has a brake pedal, a throttle pedal, and a steering wheel with a clutch,” he explained. “You just drive that to the limit.”
“You try to adapt to what is needed. That’s what we are here for. That’s what you have trained for in your life, and the good drivers will always come out on top.”
The comments underline Verstappen’s competitive mentality as he prepares to defend his crown once again. Having already secured four world championships, he remains one of the most formidable talents in modern motorsport.
The opening round of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, will provide the first true test of the new regulations under race conditions. Pre-season testing offered only limited clues about the competitive order, and teams have largely kept their performance cards close to their chests.
For Verstappen and Red Bull, the race weekend in Melbourne will reveal how well their new RB22 performs against rivals such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren.
Whether he enjoys driving the new cars or not, Verstappen’s message is clear. If the regulations require him to race something as unconventional as a shopping trolley, he will still push it to the absolute limit. And if history is anything to go by, that determination could once again make him the driver everyone else has to beat.
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