Four-time champion Max Verstappen questions his F1 future after a poor result in Japan, citing a lack of enjoyment with the new regulations.
FOUR-TIME world champion Max Verstappen has suggested he could quit Formula One at the end of the season following another frustrating race in Japan.
The Red Bull driver finished a lowly eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix, ending his four-year reign as the race’s champion in ruthless fashion.
He told the BBC he was “not enjoying the whole formula behind” this season’s championship, which has introduced sweeping new regulations.
“You just think about, is it worth it?” he said, questioning whether he would prefer to spend more time with family and friends instead.
Verstappen has repeatedly criticised the new 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power, labelling his car “undriveable” after qualifying 11th for the race.
When asked directly if he could walk away, he replied that he was “thinking about everything inside this paddock”.
“It’s really anti-driving,” he stated, adding that at one point it becomes something he no longer wants to do.
He emphasised that his decision would not be about money, stating his passion for the sport has always been the primary driver.
The Dutch driver sought a change of scenery by competing in a four-hour race in Germany before arriving in Japan.
He will not race again in F1 until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds due to conflict in the Middle East.
Verstappen plans to fill the extended break by doing “some more racing, some stuff that makes me smile”.
He also intends to work with his team to find more pace and a stable balance, calling the current situation unsustainable.
Verstappen currently sits ninth in the championship standings, a significant 60 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes after three races.
His season has been plagued by poor results, including a sixth place in Australia and a retirement in China due to a cooling issue.
The champion driver admitted he is struggling to find enjoyment, stating plainly that he wants to have fun and a great time which is currently not the case.
“I keep telling myself every day to try and enjoy it,” he confessed, concluding that it is just very hard.