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Verstappen Cites Teammate Lawson Adapting Fast as Sign 2026 F1 Cars Are ‘Numb’
Verstappen said Lawson’s immediate competitiveness shows the 2026 cars limit driver input and can force unnatural braking for better exits.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen cited teammate Liam Lawson's rapid adaptation as evidence that current Formula cars are "numb to your driver inputs."
Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the 2026 cars all year, telling the BBC in an interview published Wednesday that the new hybrid-powered vehicles can produce "unnatural" outcomes.
Lawson replaced the injured Isack Hadjar for the last two races, while Yuki Tsunoda has taken Lawson's former seat at Racing Bulls and both drivers have scored points.
Despite earlier speculation about leaving Formula, Verstappen signed a contract extension through 2030 with Red Bull, saying he "never really spent a lot of time talking or doing different things or trying to go somewhere else."
The driver plans to pursue endurance racing outside Formula, having discussed potentially teaming up with two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso for the Mans 24-hour race in the Hypercar class.