Verstappen frustration grows amid difficult 2026 season – Despite a modest upturn in form at the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen’s 2026 campaign has fallen well short of expectations. The reigning four-time world champion has struggled to adapt to the new generation of cars and has repeatedly voiced concerns about their drivability and the sport’s overall direction.
His dissatisfaction has not been limited to performance. He has openly questioned whether he still enjoys competing under the current rules, describing the experience as far removed from what he values in Formula 1.
According to a report in the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, these frustrations have prompted the Dutch driver to consider retiring from the sport at the end of the season. This has sent shockwaves through the paddock, given Verstappen’s status as one of the defining drivers of the current era.
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FIA president delivers blunt response
Speaking during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Mohammed Ben Sulayem addressed the speculation directly, making it clear that the future of Formula 1 does not hinge on any single driver:
“F1 is bigger than anyone else. Presidents come and go; teams come and go; promoters come and go; drivers come and go. I just saw Verstappen, and he was positive. The changes are going in the right direction,” he said.
The FIA president acknowledged Verstappen’s frustrations, framing them as part of a natural cycle within the sport — particularly for drivers accustomed to sustained success.
“When you’re winning and then suddenly you’re not, of course you express your opinions, and I can understand that. It’s the cycle of things,” he explained in a report from NextGen Auto.
FIA: “We will miss him, but the sport will go on…”
Ben Sulayem’s most direct comment came when he addressed the possibility of Verstappen leaving Formula 1 altogether. While acknowledging the Dutchman’s significance, he emphasised the sport’s long-term resilience.
“He won the title four times, and what did others say when he was winning? People say things, but do they really mean them?” he said.
“If Max ever leaves, we’ll miss him, but the sport will go on. So many stars and teams have come and gone, but Formula 1 and the FIA will always remain.”
These comments highlight the FIA’s broader stance that the identity and global appeal of Formula 1 transcend any individual, regardless of their success or influence.
Montoya calls for stronger action against Verstappen
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has gone a step further by suggesting that Verstappen should face consequences for criticising the 2026 regulations. Speaking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Montoya argued that repeated public complaints undermine the sport and warrant disciplinary action.
“You have to show respect for the sport you live for,” he said, proposing that Verstappen be given enough penalty points to almost result in a race ban — or even be “parked for one race”. These comments add another dimension to the debate by framing Verstappen’s frustration not just as dissent, but as a potential breach of sporting conduct.
Verstappen’s stance
Verstappen’s criticism of the 2026 regulations reflects wider unease among drivers and teams as they adapt to the new technical framework.
As one of the sport’s most prominent figures, Verstappen’s dissatisfaction carries significant weight. His comments could influence public perception of the new era, especially if performance issues persist.
However, the FIA’s robust response indicates their confidence in the future of Formula 1. By emphasising that the sport will endure beyond any individual, Ben Sulayem is trying to stabilise the narrative during this period of transition.
Whether Verstappen will ultimately follow through on any retirement plans remains unclear. For now, the situation highlights the tension between Formula 1’s evolving regulations and the expectations of its biggest stars — a dynamic that could define the next chapter of the sport.
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Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
BS is right of course – the sport WILL go on should MV walk away from it early … and the sport will be all the poorer for it!
Hopefully MV will remain within the F1 arena until he reaches his ‘natural’ retirement stage, and he will be long remembered as the outstanding driver of this era, but we will smile at the memories. BUT – should he feel the need to walk away early because F1 is no longer about pure racing, TENS OF MILLIONS of fans will be left with a bad taste in their mouths towards the ‘hierarchy’.
What will be the resultant affect on the sport when numbers/revenue drop?