Recently announced "refinements" to the regulations don't go far enough, says Max Verstappen.

You can bet your life that all inhabitants of Planet Paddock have been told to ease off on their criticism of the 2026 regulations, after all, Stefano Domenicali claims that everything is absolutely fine, that everyone's happy.

However, one of the biggest critics of the rules overhaul is notorious for speaking his mind, and while his colleagues are all set to give the recently announced changes the big thumbs up, Max Verstappen insists they do not go far enough.

"I guess it's a tickle," he told reporters as the Miami weekend got underway. "It's not what we need yet to really make it flat-out," he added.

"It's complicated to get everyone to agree," he continued. "I just hope for next year we can make really big, big changes."

The main changes see a reduction in the amount of electrical energy that can be harvested during qualifying, while also increasing the rate at which energy can be recovered on straights, both changes aimed at allowing drivers to go flat-out, particularly in Q3.

"Like I said, it's a tickle," said the Dutchman, "but it needs to be more than a tickle for next year, that's for sure. "The positive thing about it is that we had some nice meetings with Formula 1 and the FIA," he added. "And I think that's probably a starting point hopefully for the future.

"Even, you know, in a few years' time, maybe when I'm not here anymore, I really hope that for the future drivers as well, there's more input to come from the drivers to the organisers in general," he continued. "Because I do think that most of the drivers, we have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make Formula 1 a good product, a fun product. And I think that's already a huge step forward in terms of the communication. Because at the end of the day, you know, F1 is a very complex and political sport. But I think everyone has tried their best to at least do something. But, of course, it won't change the world."

The Dutchman was among the earliest critics of the regulations, waring over a year ago that they risked compromising the spectacle of the sport, and feels his, and the opinions of other drivers, should have been listened to.

"I'm sure that we can have really good input about that, and I think if we would have had that five, maybe a bit before, like five, six years ago, then we probably wouldn't have been in the state that we are in now. But I just hope that it's a lesson for the future."

And talking of the future, what of his own?

"Nothing new to be honest, on that side," he said. "I mean, in those weeks I've been busy with other things. But, yeah, I still have time and I'm taking my time."

However, he was quick to play down talk that the departure of Gianpiero Lambiase will affect any decision he may make about his own future.

"Otherwise I don't get to drive!" he laughed. "I will have to work with someone else. But I think also, you know, times change. I mean, the offer that he got, then I would be an idiot to try and keep him. Like, he also has to, it's not only about me all the time. It's also about his career and moving forward.

"So for me, yeah, it was a no-brainer, to be honest. And yeah, about the future, that's what we're looking at now, you know, with a different race engineer. I'm sure we'll find solutions for that as well."