Four-time world champion Max Verstappen says he is considering quitting Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season amid his dissatisfaction with the sport’s new regulations.
The biggest rule change in F1 history saw new power units and chassis introduced for this year, with a shift towards electrical energy requiring new approaches from the drivers.
Verstappen had expressed his concern over the rules ahead of their introduction, while his negative feelings towards them have likely been compounded by the struggles of his Red Bull team over the first three rounds of the season.
Having already hinted during the first couple of rounds that his lack of enjoyment driving the new cars could lead him to consider his future in the sport, Verstappen made his strongest remarks to date on the topic after finishing eighth in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Asked whether he was going to walk away at the end of the season, Verstappen told BBC Sport: “That’s what I’m saying. I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock.
“Privately I’m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?”
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Highlights from the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
Verstappen won four successive world championships from 2021-2024 before finishing second to McLaren’s Lando Norris last year.
The 28-year-old Dutchman dismissed suggestions that his doubts over remaining in the sport are caused by Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness.
He said: “I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am,” he said. “Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before. I’ve not only been winning in F1.
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Max Verstappen’s nightmare start to the season continues as he is knocked out of Q2 at the Japanese Grand Prix
“But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver.
“Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do.
“And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day it’s not about money anymore because this has always been my passion.”
Verstappen has already begun finding thrills elsewhere, competing last weekend in a GT3 race at Germany’s Nurburgring.
He insists that his struggles in attempting to enjoy F1 in its current format are “not healthy”.
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Watch highlights as Max Verstappen takes on the NLS2 Race at the Nürburgring
Verstappen said: “You hear it from a lot of sports people when you speak to them about how you are successful. It all starts with actually enjoying what you’re doing before you can actually commit to it 100 per cent.
“Now I think I’m committing 100 per cent and I’m still trying, but the way that I am telling myself to give it 100 per cent I think is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I’m doing.
“And now people can easily say, ‘Yeah, well, you’ve won so many championships and races and now just because the car is not good you are complaining.’ Maybe you can see it like that, but I see it different.”
F1 returns on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the season’s second Sprint weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
