Croft backs Verstappen's long-held criticism of F1's 2026 regulations as 'brave'

Sky Sports Formula 1 lead commentator David Croft has defended Max Verstappen’s sustained criticism of the sport’s 2026 regulations, describing the four-time champion’s stance as ‘brave’ and ‘refreshing’ given how early and consistently he voiced his opposition.

Formula 1 moved away from the ground effect era in 2026 with a sweeping regulatory overhaul. The headline changes included an almost fifty-fifty split between internal combustion and electric power, the introduction of Overtake Mode, active aerodynamics, and smaller, lighter cars — a package Verstappen has publicly doubted for the better part of three years.

The Dutchman has not softened his position since the season began, famously describing the new formula as “Formula E on steroids” and leaving open the possibility of retirement if he finds no enjoyment in the regulations, even after any future tweaks.

Croft addressed Verstappen’s comments directly, arguing they should not be dismissed as tactical posturing. “I don’t think it’s just idle threats for the benefit of politics,” Croft said. “He’s stayed very consistent for the last two and a half to three years on this current formula in Formula 1, that he doesn’t agree with it. He doesn’t like it, and he didn’t think it was going to work, and he now doesn’t think it is working. He hasn’t budged one bit on his feelings on that, and actually was brave enough to speak out long before any other driver.”

Croft also pushed back on any suggestion that Verstappen’s criticism is designed to pressure Red Bull into lobbying for regulatory changes. “If Red Bull is in favour of making changes, then he’s not doing it to try and force his team to be part of this,” he said. “I think he’s just saying, and he’s being Max, he’s saying what he believes is right. And that’s the refreshing thing about Max: he has the courage of his convictions. He stands up for what he believes in, and he doesn’t change on a weekly basis.”

Verstappen currently sits seventh in the drivers’ championship with 43 points, a position that underlines the extent to which the new regulations have disrupted the competitive order that saw him dominate the previous era.