Nelson Piquet Jr says Max Verstappen would not complain at Mercedes
Nelson Piquet Jr claims Max Verstappen would not be criticising the new Formula 1 regulations if the reigning world champion was driving for Mercedes.
The Red Bull driver has been highly vocal about the sport’s latest hybrid rules following a frustrating start to the season.
Verstappen managed only a sixth-place finish in Australia before retiring with an Energy Recovery System failure in China last week.
This sluggish start has left the Dutchman trailing a dominant Mercedes team, currently spearheaded by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Mercedes dominance changes perspective
Piquet, brother-in-law to the four-time world champion, believes the driver’s frustration stems purely from a lack of competitiveness.
Speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, the former F1 driver suggested that having a winning car changes everything.
“He wants to have the best car,” Piquet explained.
“It is natural for him to complain in this situation, but if he were driving the Mercedes, he would be very quiet and would not be saying anything at all.”
‘Mario Kart’ regulations
The controversial new technical regulations require nearly half of a car’s power to be generated by its electrical battery pack.
This system allows drivers to deploy a substantial power boost on demand during races.
However, the defending champion remains entirely unconvinced by the new racing dynamic.
“It’s still terrible,” Verstappen previously stated regarding the changes.
“It’s playing Mario Kart. This is not racing.”
The Red Bull talisman also dismissed suggestions that there is a genuine championship battle developing between Mercedes and Ferrari.
“It’s just Kimi or George that is winning, right? They’re miles ahead of the field,” he added.
Future transfer speculation
Verstappen has repeatedly been linked with a sensational switch to Mercedes in recent seasons.
Despite his current frustrations, the stellar early-season form of Russell and Antonelli makes a blockbuster 2027 move highly uncertain.
For now, the Red Bull star insists his criticism is rooted purely in the quality of the on-track product rather than his own position in the standings.