Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has said he is considering quitting Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season due to his dissatisfaction with the sport’s new regulations.
The biggest rule changes in F1’s history have seen the introduction of new power units and chassis this year, with the transition to electric energy requiring a new approach from drivers.
Verstappen had expressed concerns about the rule before it was introduced, but the Red Bull team’s struggles in the first three races of the season likely exacerbated his negative feelings about the rule.
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Max Verstappen urges Red Bull to improve performance during break before next race in Miami
Verstappen had already hinted that not enjoying driving his new car in the first few rounds could cause him to consider his future in the sport, but he made his strongest statement yet on the topic after finishing eighth at Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Asked if he intended to pull out at the end of the season, Verstappen told BBC Sport: “That’s what I’m saying. I’m thinking about everything within this paddock.”
“Personally, I’m very happy. I’m also waiting for 24 races. This time it’s 22 races, but normally it’s 24 races. And then you think: Is it worth it? Or is it more fun to be at home with my family? Can I see more friends when I’m not enjoying the sport?”
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2026 Japanese Grand Prix Highlights
Verstappen won four consecutive world championships from 2021 to 2024 and finished second to McLaren’s Lando Norris last year.
The 28-year-old Dutchman dismissed suggestions that his doubts about remaining in the sport were due to Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness.
“It’s easy to accept being seventh or eighth where I am,” he said. “Because I also know that if you fight for the podium every time, you can’t dominate or be first or second or whatever. I’m very realistic about that and I’ve been on the podium before. I’m not just winning in F1.
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Max Verstappen’s nightmare start to the season continues with Q2 loss at Japanese GP
“But at the same time, when you’re in seventh or eighth and not enjoying the whole formula behind you, I don’t feel that’s natural for a racing driver.
“Obviously I try to adapt to it, but the way I race is not good. It’s really anti-driving. And at a certain point, it’s like, yeah, that’s not what I want to do.
“And of course you can make a lot of money looking at it, which is great. But at the end of the day, it’s not about the money anymore, because this has always been my passion.”
Verstappen is already starting to find thrills elsewhere, competing in the GT3 race at Germany’s Nürburgring last weekend.
He insists the struggle to enjoy F1 in its current format is “not healthy”.
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Watch highlights of Max Verstappen’s NLS2 race at the Nurburgring
“When I talk to a lot of people in the sport about my success, they tell me this: It all starts with actually enjoying what you’re doing, before you actually give it 100 percent,” Verstappen said.
“Right now I think I’m giving 100 percent and I’m still trying, but I don’t think the way I’m telling myself to give 100 percent is very healthy at the moment because I’m not enjoying what I’m doing.
“And now people can easily say, ‘Oh yeah, you’ve won so many championships and races, and now you’re just complaining that the car isn’t good.'” Maybe it looks that way to you, but it looks different to me. ”
F1 returns from May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the second sprint weekend of the season, being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
