Max Verstappen complains about the new Formula 1 regulations – ex-champion Jenson Button now explains why even victories in endurance racing won’t change anything
Ex-world champion Jenson Button doesn’t believe that Max Verstappen’s endurance racing exploits will help change his mind about the current Formula 1 regulations
The 2026 Formula 1 season has ushered in a new era of technical regulations. Verstappen has never made a secret of his opinion of the new cars, which rely on an almost equal distribution of power between the combustion engine and electric power.
After initially deriding the new regulations as “Formula E on steroids”, Verstappen recently argued that driving this generation of cars is more about energy management than real racing.
In addition to his commitments in the premier class, the Dutchman competes in GT3 endurance races whenever his schedule allows. He competed in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) alongside Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon in the second round of the 2026 season.
Although Verstappen and his team initially won the race on the track, disqualification later followed: the team had exceeded the permitted tire quota.
Button: “That puts a smile on his face”
“I think it’s exciting that there are so many different types of motorsport out there,” Button told Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, referring to Verstappen’s endurance campaign.
“It’s not like tennis – there aren’t many different variations. In motorsport, on the other hand, there are so many different categories, like endurance racing and multi-class racing. I think that’s what puts a smile on his face.”
Button continues: “He spent the whole time overtaking cars. Last week he also drove a Super GT car in pouring rain in Fuji. Those are the GT500 cars. That’s exactly what I drove in 2018 and 2019 – they’re a lot of fun. He just wants to jump into everything, which I think is super cool.“
When asked whether endurance racing could rejuvenate the four-time champion or act as a kind of ‘vacation’, Button replied: ”No, I don’t think it will change his view of Formula 1 at this stage.”
“What will change his opinion of Formula 1 is the moment he starts winning races again. But it means an outlet for him: he can drive other cars and still have the chance to win there.”