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Max Verstappen aimed a fresh dig at Formula 1's new rule as he took pole position in a Mercedes. The four-time world champion is using the gap between the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix to take part in round two of the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) as part of his preparations for the Nurburgring 24 Hour race in May.

Driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 entered by Winward under the Verstappen Racing banner, he is partnering Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon in the four-hour race. Qualifying took place on Saturday morning, with Verstappen setting the fastest time of 7:51.751 around the iconic German circuit. The outing is a light relief for the Dutchman, who has been scathing about the F1's new rules, which see almost a 50/50 split in power between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical power.

The changes, one of the biggest in F1 history, require drivers to manage their battery power carefully and use a boost button to aid overtaking. Speaking about driving in the NLS this weekend, Verstappen took another swipe at F1, saying: "At least you can drive flat out without looking after the battery."

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The Red Bull driver was outspoken about F1's direction even before the season started and has since doubled down on his verdict. After retiring from the Chinese Grand Prix in a distant sixth place, Verstappen lambasted the rules.

He fumed: "It is not fun at all. It is Mario Kart. This is not racing. We are boosting past. Then you run out of battery, and they boost back past you again. For me, it is just a joke.

"I would say the same if I was winning because I care about the racing product. It is not about being upset because of where I am. It is fundamentally flawed. It is painful. It will eventually ruin the sport, and it is going to come back to bite them in the a***."

A press conference where Verstappen warned F1 bosses about the 2026 regulations three years ago has recently resurfaced on social media. Verstappen continued: "You could have seen this coming from a long time ago, so I don't know what I need to discuss [with F1].

"They should have listened in 2023. Hopefully, it is a lesson for the future so that this doesn't happen again. You have to be a bit careful with how you say things.

"We are talking about it. And they understand where we are coming from as drivers. Some, of course, will say it's great because they are winning, which is fair enough, and when you have an advantage, why would you give that up?

"But if you just speak to most of the drivers, it's not what we like, I don't think it's what the real F1 fans like. It's political. Some people feel they have the advantage now.

"They want to use that. I get that and I'm not stupid, but at the same time, it is just not good for the sport. Hopefully, we can get rid of this as soon as possible."