MAX VERSTAPPEN dropped a bombshell hint that he could QUIT F1, with him questioning “is it worth it?”
The dejected Dutchman, 28, says he is considering his future in the sport after finishing eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Asked whether that meant he was going to walk away at the end of the season, Verstappen said: “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?”
Commenting further on his thoughts about 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%.
“Now I think I’m committing 100% and I’m still trying, but the way that I am telling myself to give it 100% I think is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I’m doing.”
“But it’s a bit sad to be honest that we’re even talking about this. It is what it is. You don’t need to feel sorry for me. I’ll be fine.”
He toasted four consecutive drivers’ titles from 2021-24 and missed out on last year’s title by just two points to Lando Norris.
However, he has endured a torrid start to 2026, with a sixth place finish in Australia and retiring in China last time out.
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He says his frustrations are due to the sport’s major regulations shake up which have come into play this season, and not Red Bull’s struggles.
The new engines require a larger focus on energy management and need to be recharged several times a lap.
That means drivers are losing speed on the approach to corners at the end of long straights as the engine runs out of battery power and starts to recharge.
He added: “I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am 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.”
Verstappen is enjoying other areas of motorsport and is preparing for the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring race in May.
He is also set to have another go at the Nordschleife with an NLS race scheduled for April 11 during the large break in the F1 season caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
