Red Bull driver says current era feels “anti-driving” despite contract through 2028.
Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen says he is seriously considering quitting Formula 1 at the end of 2026 due to his distaste of the new regulations.Verstappen has long been a critic of Formula 1’s new ruleset, with his dissatisfaction known since pre-season, and has regularly hit out at the style of driving and racing required in order to maximize performance.
Verstappen’s difficult start to the year continued at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, in which he finished eighth, having spent most of the race chasing Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.The iconic figure-of-eight Suzuka circuit has been one of Verstappen’s strongest venues in his career, having swept qualifying and the races each year between 2022 and 2025.Verstappen has long suggested he would not stay in Formula 1 long-term—he started as the youngest driver aged 17 in 2015—and has previously linked enjoyment to his future plans.He holds a contract with Red Bull through 2028 but post-race on Sunday gave an interview with BBC Sport in which he confirmed he is considering leaving after 2026.“That’s what I’m saying,” Verstappen said. “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?”Verstappen insisted that his perspective is not linked to Red Bull’s slide away from the front-running positions.Verstappen claimed four-straight titles between 2021 and 2024, and was two points away from a fifth in 2025, but is only ninth in this year’s Drivers’ Championship amid Red Bull’s lack of pace under the new rules.“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.“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 any more because this has always been my passion.”Outside of F1, Verstappen became a father for the first time last May, has been expanding his GT3 efforts—he will contest the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year—and also has his own sim-racing team.Speaking further on his future, Verstappen said, “I see it like this: You hear it from a lot of sports people when you speak to them about how are you successful. It all starts with actually enjoying what you’re doing before you can actually commit to it 100 percent. Now I think I’m committing 100 percent and I’m still trying, but the way that I am telling myself to give it 100 percent 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.”
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