Not Only His Rivals on the Track, but Also the British Press and Drivers Themselves Admit They Are “Wary” of Max Verstappen, as His Power in F1 Is Increasingly Exceeding Conventional Limits

London / Milton Keynes, 24 January 2026 – The aura surrounding Max Verstappen has reached a point where even his fiercest rivals, the British motorsport media, and fellow drivers are openly admitting they are “wary” – a word now synonymous with fear and reluctant respect – of the Dutchman’s growing dominance in Formula 1.

What began as a dominant four-year title reign (2021–2024) has evolved into something far more unsettling: a level of control, influence, and sheer performance that many believe is beginning to exceed the conventional limits of what one driver – even a generational talent – should be allowed to wield in the sport.

The sentiment crystallized this week when Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle, one of the most respected voices in British broadcasting, said on air: “We’re all wary of Max. Not just because he’s fast – we’ve seen fast drivers before. It’s because his power now extends beyond the car. Team strategy bends to him, regulations get debated around him, sponsors orbit him. It’s unprecedented.” Brundle’s words echoed what has been whispered in garages for months: Verstappen isn’t just winning races; he is reshaping the ecosystem around him.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has openly admitted as much: “Max is the benchmark. When he speaks, people listen – including us.” The 2025 season, where Lando Norris finally dethroned him, only intensified the narrative. Norris himself said post-title: “Beating Max felt different. It wasn’t just a race win – it felt like breaking a spell.” Even Lewis Hamilton, now at Ferrari, acknowledged in a recent interview: “Max has a grip on this sport that goes beyond talent. You have to respect it… and yes, be wary of it.”

The British press has gone further. The Guardian ran a front-page feature titled “The Verstappen Supremacy: How One Driver Is Outgrowing F1’s Rules,” while Autosport published an editorial warning: “If we’re not careful, the sport risks becoming the Max Verstappen Show – thrilling for some, suffocating for everyone else.” Columnists have pointed to Verstappen’s influence on technical regulations (his vocal stance on the 2026 power unit rules reportedly shifted Red Bull’s entire development direction), sponsor priorities (major brands now tie deals to Verstappen clauses), and even calendar decisions (rumors persist that circuits are quietly consulted on “Max-friendly” layouts).

Drivers are increasingly candid. George Russell (Mercedes) admitted: “You race Max knowing the psychological edge is already his. It’s intimidating.” Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) added: “He doesn’t just beat you – he makes you question if you can ever beat him again.” Lando Norris, despite his 2025 title, confessed: “Even after winning, I still look at Max and think: how does he do that every weekend?”

The numbers back the unease. Verstappen’s 2021–2024 run produced 52 wins from 88 races (59% win rate), 34 poles, and three consecutive titles with record margins. Even in 2025, when McLaren dominated car development, Verstappen still won six races and finished runner-up – often dragging a clearly inferior Red Bull to the front through sheer talent and aggression.

Critics argue this level of dominance is unhealthy. Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert warned: “When one driver becomes bigger than the sport, it stops being sport. We saw it with Schumacher, then Hamilton. Now it’s Max. The FIA has to act before it’s too late.” Calls for regulation changes – from ballast rules to budget cap adjustments targeted at Red Bull – are growing louder.

Red Bull and Verstappen have remained defiant. Max posted a single Instagram story after the latest wave of commentary: a photo of himself in the cockpit with the caption: “They talk. I drive.” Horner dismissed concerns: “Max earns every bit of respect he gets. If people are wary, good – that’s how champions should be viewed.”

But the unease is palpable. Sponsors quietly admit Verstappen clauses are now standard in major deals. Circuits report higher attendance when Max is on pole. And younger drivers openly say they measure themselves against him – not against the championship table, but against “the Verstappen standard.”

As the 2026 regulations loom – promising a reset with new power units and active aero – the question looms larger than ever: can anyone truly dethrone Max Verstappen, or has his power already exceeded the sport’s conventional limits?

The paddock is wary. The fans are divided. And the FIA watches closely.

Because in 2026, the battle isn’t just for the title – it’s for the soul of Formula 1 itself.