(Motorsport-Total.com) – Former world champion Jenson Button does not believe that Max Verstappen’s appearances in endurance racing will help change his opinion on the current Formula 1 regulations.
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The 2026 Formula 1 season has ushered in a new era of technical rules. Verstappen has never made a secret of his opinion on the new cars, which rely on an almost equal power distribution between the internal combustion engine and electric power.
After initially mocking 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 started 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 followed later: the team had exceeded the permitted tire quota.
Button: “That puts a smile on his face”
“I find it exciting that there are so many different types of motorsport out there,” Button explained to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix with regard to Verstappen’s endurance campaign.
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“It’s not like tennis – there aren’t many different variants. In motorsport, on the other hand, there are so many different categories, like endurance racing and multi-class racing. I think that’s exactly 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 at Fuji. Those are these GT500 cars. I drove exactly those in 2018 and 2019 – they are incredibly fun. He just wants to jump into everything, which I think is super cool.”
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 point.”
“What will change his opinion about Formula 1 is the moment he starts winning races again. But it means an outlet for him: he can drive other cars and still has the chance to win there.”
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