'He moans': Max Verstappen told to 'shut up and drive' ahead of Japan Grand Prix

The new regulations and how Max Verstappen is handling them still remains a topic of conversation in the F1 world ahead of this weekend's Japan Grand Prix.

And the four-time F1 world champion can't seem to take a trick on the track no matter which form of racing he competes in.

Verstappen took a break from a frustrating Formula 1 season last weekend by driving in a four-hour race at the Nuerburgring in Germany, where he was disqualified.

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The Dutchman isn't a fan of the new 2026 technical regulations, despite working his way up from No.20 on the grid to place sixth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen predicted his Red Bull probably couldn't go any higher than fifth place in the Chinese Grand Prix and he was right - when the car retired due to a suspected ERS (Energy Recovery System) cooling failure.

He suffered a loss of power with around 10 laps to go and was in sixth position at the time.

Rival F1 drivers have also expressed their concern over the changes, while others, who have finished much higher in the standings, have welcomed the new rules with open arms.

Drivers are now having to factor in energy-saving tactics with their electrical power, something previously foreign to F1.

That has led to Verstappen calling the changes a "joke" and likening F1 to "Mario Kart", leading to a barrage of criticism, most notably from Juan Pablo Montoya, who called on the Red Bull driver to leave the sport if he's not satisfied.

Speaking on the Stay on Track podcast, former F1 driver Johnny Hertbert was asked by 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill if Verstappen needs to "just shut up and drive?".

Herbert replied: "In many respects, yes.

"It's always very nice when you're in the best car. It's always a bit of a struggle when you're not in the best car.

"He hasn't had a bad career thus far; there are still many more things that he's going to be able to achieve in F1, as in another world championship or three."

Hill said it's a delicate situation for the decision-makers in the sport as they weigh up the alterations after Japan.

"Diplomacy is not his thing," Hill said. "I'm saying it's good, you'll always get a direct, honest opinion from him.

"He will say what he really thinks. Only the trouble he's got now is that it does sound like, because he hasn't got the car that can win, if he moans, it's about that, it's not about the formula necessarily.

"As an advocate for what the drivers want from F1, that will be taken on board. Because what F1 doesn't want is for Max to decide 'I'm going somewhere else to get my thrills'.

"That would be a vote of no confidence in F1 and where it's going."

As for speculation he may quit if reforms aren't made quickly, Verstappen said ahead of the China Grand Prix: "I don't want to leave, but I also hope, of course, that it gets better.

"I've had discussions with F1 and FIA and, I think, we are working toward something, hopefully, and, hopefully that will improve everything," he said.

"I hope already for next year we can already make a decent improvement."

Speaking ahead of the race in Nuerburgring in Germany, Verstappen said he has ambitions outside of F1.

"It's one of the best races in the world, it's one of the best tracks. I mean, honestly, in a GT car for me that's like the perfect speed round there.

"I think if you go anything faster it can be a bit dangerous in places.

"I mean, I've been watching it, of course, for a long time. I know a lot of my friends, of course, that have been racing in it already. They say it's one of the best things ever, and I like racing other cars as well.

"I don't need to be only a Formula 1 driver, I can also do other things," he added.

"I've done this for a while and I've achieved everything that I wanted to achieve, so that's why I want to explore other things, and I don't want to do them when I'm 40 years old. So now I think this is the perfect age to do it."