“I think about everything”: Max Verstappen has once again cast doubt over his long-term future in Formula 1, delivering his clearest indication yet that he could shock the sport by leaving.
Speaking after a frustrating weekend at Suzuka, the four-time world champion admitted that he is no longer enjoying life in Formula 1 under the current regulations and is considering whether it is still worth continuing.
Verstappen: “Is It Worth It Anymore?”
Verstappen did not attempt to soften his stance. When asked if he could walk away at the end of the season, he responded bluntly that he is considering “everything”.
The Dutchman pointed to his life away from racing as a growing influence on his thinking. With a settled private life and an increasing appreciation for time at home, he is beginning to lose his appreciation for the relentless nature of Formula 1.
For a driver who has spent much of his career defined by intensity and single-minded focus, this change of attitude is striking. The question is no longer about winning championships — it is about whether the lifestyle and the sport itself still provide satisfaction.
It’s not about results. Something deeper…
Despite finishing outside the top positions in Japan, Verstappen dismissed the idea that poor performance alone was the cause of his frustration. He said he could accept finishing seventh or eighth if the racing itself still felt rewarding.
However, that is the core issue.
The current generation of cars and regulations has fundamentally changed the driving experience, and not in a way that Verstappen enjoys. He described the required driving style as ‘not pretty’, a telling phrase from one of the most naturally gifted drivers on the grid.
When driving itself becomes a chore rather than a thrill, even success can feel hollow. And for Verstappen, that tipping point appears to be approaching.
A growing chorus of concern
This unease is not isolated. Jos Verstappen has previously expressed concerns about his son’s future in the sport, suggesting that ongoing dissatisfaction could lead to an early retirement.
According to Jos, the current generation of cars is failing to provide the challenge that once fuelled Verstappen’s passion. The concern is not just about results, but also about a deeper disengagement from the sport itself.
“He used to think driving in Formula 1 was the greatest thing ever,” Jos remarked. “But now I’m quite pessimistic.” said the Dutch former F1 driver to the newspaper Telegraaf.
Those comments now carry significantly more weight.
What once sounded like protective caution from a father is increasingly looking like an accurate reading of the situation. The Verstappen camp has been consistently critical of the sport’s direction, from the driving dynamics to the broader spectacle, and the tension is clearly mounting.
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Verstappen: “I want to enjoy it again.”
At the heart of Verstappen’s comments is a simple yet powerful sentiment: he wants to enjoy racing again.
“I want to be here to have fun and enjoy myself,” he explained, before admitting that this is no longer the reality.
This statement cuts through the usual layers of Formula 1 diplomacy. It suggests a driver who is no longer motivated by legacy, records or titles, but by something more fundamental: the joy of driving.
If he cannot rediscover that joy under the current rules, Formula 1 will have a serious problem on its hands.
When a driver of Verstappen’s talent starts questioning his place in the sport, it is no longer just a personal dilemma — it becomes an existential warning for the championship itself.
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NEXT ARTICLE – F1 qualifying rules slammed by Alonso. “50% of my team…” could drive this car
Its weekend three of the all new Formula One era and time for the Japanese Grand Prix. The iconic Suzuka circuit is hosting its 36th F1 event and over the decades has been the venue for many incredible memorable moments.
Ayrton Senna stalled his McLaren car on the grid in 1988, falling through the field to P14 before an incredible recovery drive in torrential rain to pass Alain Prost for lead in the closing stages of the race to claim his first F1 title.
In an emotional season finale in 1996, Damon Hill became the first son of an F1 champion to claim the title himself, leading from start to finish whilst team mate Jacques Villeneuve suffered a mechanical failure which ended his race.
Alonso: “50% of my team…” can drive this car
Yet arriving at the historic venue in 2026, the paddock talk was less of another electrifying weekend of racing and all about the energy management the drivers are having to deal with under the new FIA regulations. This means the once fearsome challenge of the high speed corners at Suzuka has been neutered with drivers lifting and coasting rather than pushing to the limit.
No longer are the drivers on the limit as they take the Degna turns or R130 given they must drive just under 98% throttle level to ensure the hybrid motor efficiently deploys it energy. Fernando Alonso was critical of the new rules dente the FIA having dropped the maximum level of electrical power deployment from 9MJ to 8MJ.
When asked in the media pen about the challenge of driving at the historic Japanese circuit, the Spaniard was blunt. “It’s gone,” said Alonso. “I told you in Bahrain the chef could drive the car now. Maybe not the chef, but 50% of the team members I think, at least, can drive in Suzuka, because as I said a few times already the high-speed corners now became the charging station for the car.
“So you go slow there, you charge the battery in the high speed and then you have the full power on the straight. So the driver’s skill is not really needed anymore. You just need to…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
A senior writer at TJ13, C.J. Alderson serves as Senior Editor and newsroom coordinator, with a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing. Alderson’s professional training in media studies and experience managing content teams ensures TJ13 maintains consistency of voice and credibility. During race weekends, Alderson acts as desk lead, directing contributors and smoothing breaking stories for publication.
