Max Verstappen has for the first time openly suggested he is considering his Formula 1 future after a miserable few weeks at the start of the new season. He has made his disdain for the new rules and cars obvious and suggested before the season even began that they « aren’t helping to extend my F1 career ».
But after qualifying just 11th at Suzuka on Saturday, Verstappen gave his clearest indication yet that he’s giving some serious thought to his future. The 28-year-old said: « There’s a lot of stuff for me personally to figure out. » Asked to clarify what he was referring to, he replied: « Life… Life here, » and confirmed his feelings are related to the current F1 rules.
Verstappen has been among the most vocal critics of the new cars, which take almost half of their power from a battery. The deployment of that electrical energy has proven erratic so far, requiring far greater management from drivers. Most racers have expressed a dislike for the new driving style required, especially during qualifying sessions.
It certainly spoiled the occasion on Saturday at Suzuka, which features some usually fearsome corners which seemed comparatively tame because of reduced cornering speeds caused by flat batteries needing to be recharged. Verstappen couldn’t find the right words, in English or even his native Dutch, to express his dismay at the situation.
He said: « I’m not even frustrated anymore. I’m beyond that, so that’s a bit…I don’t know the right word. I don’t know what to make of it to be honest. Probably no words, I just can’t. I don’t get upset about it, I don’t get disappointed, frustrated by it anymore with what’s going on. »
Verstappen has a contract in 2028 but it’s common knowledge that his deal contains exit clauses which can become active even mid-season based on performance. It’s believed that one such clause would give him the power to relinquish his Red Bull seat if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break.
It seems very unlikely he will be even close to that high in the standings, given he finished sixth in Melbourne, left Shanghai pointless and qualified well down the order for today’s Suzuka race. It’s also considered very unlikely that Verstappen would walk away mid-season – the earliest realistic potential exit we’re looking at would be the end of this year.
But the odds that the four-time world champion will exit F1 before his 30th birthday look to be shortening all the time. Whether or not he follows through on his threats will largely depend on whether F1 chiefs can present potential rule changes for 2027 that might convince him to give them a try. « I just hope that the changes are big enough for next year, » Verstappen said, making it clear that will be a significant consideration for him.
He has a young daughter at home and is already exploring other racing series outside F1, having raced at the Nurburgring on some weekends off. Even though he was disqualified after winning one such GT race last weekend, Verstappen said taking part had put « a big smile » on his face. It’s been some time since he said that about competing in F1.
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