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Max Verstappen battles ground-effect pain: FIA promises relief in 2026 F1 revolution

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 3, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Max Verstappen battles ground-effect pain: FIA promises relief in 2026 F1 revolution

Max Verstappen’s Shocking Health Revelation: Are Ground-Effect Cars Ruining F1 Drivers?

In a dramatic turn of events, Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen has unleashed a fierce critique aimed at the FIA, shedding light on the severe toll that the current generation of ground-effect cars has taken on his physical well-being. As the F1 world gears up for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, the implications of Verstappen’s comments are reverberating throughout the motorsport community.

Since their introduction in 2022, these high-tech machines have revolutionized the sport, using underbody aerodynamics to generate staggering levels of downforce and enabling jaw-dropping cornering speeds. However, for Verstappen, who has led Red Bull to consecutive championship victories in 2022 and 2023, the cost has been undeniably steep. “It hasn’t been comfortable at all; my whole back is falling apart, and my feet always hurt,” he lamented during a press conference in Las Vegas. The champion further revealed that his medical scans reflect the physical strain, stating bluntly, “Physically, it hasn’t been the best.”

The Dutch driver’s candor exposes a troubling reality for F1 athletes: the intense demands of racing these ground-effect machines are wreaking havoc on their bodies. “If you look at motocross, we have nothing to complain about,” Verstappen added, juxtaposing his plight with that of other motorsport competitors. Yet, he longs for a return to the cars of 2015-2016, a period he fondly remembers as more manageable.

Will the upcoming 2026 regulations be a saving grace for Verstappen and his peers? FIA Single Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis has responded to Verstappen’s concerns by promising significant changes in the next car generation. He confirmed that the 2026 models will address the notorious porpoising issues by operating at higher ride heights and offering a softer overall setup. “The main issue you’re referring to is the fact that cars have been running very low and very stiff,” Tombazis explained. “The slope of aerodynamics versus ride height is reduced, which means that the optimum will be a bit higher.”

With the promise of alleviating some of the physical challenges faced by drivers, the motorsport community is eager to see how these innovations will play out on the track. Mercedes Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta weighed in, expressing confidence that teams will adapt and overcome any new challenges arising from the regulatory shift. “Like in every regulation change, this problem has been clearer and stronger at the start of this cycle,” he stated. “But as time goes on, teams learn and adapt, and the issues tend to vanish.”

As fans prepare for the final showdown of the current car era, all eyes will be on how the FIA and teams respond to Verstappen’s bold claims. Will the new regulations spell relief for drivers and reinvigorate the sport, or will the physical toll of racing continue to haunt them? With the future of F1 at stake, one thing is certain—this story is far from over.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-seasonmax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racing
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