Max Verstappen considering F1 exit and says he’s getting fed up with ‘life here’
Max Verstappen has a Red Bull contract until 2028 but there are exit clauses and he may be ready to use one of them later this year given his disdain for Formula 1’s new cars
Max Verstappen has, for the first time, openly hinted that he is contemplating a Formula 1 exit following a dismal few weeks at the commencement of the new season. He has been vocal about his disapproval of the new rules and cars, suggesting even before the season kicked off that they “aren’t helping to extend my F1 career”.
However, after qualifying only 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, Verstappen gave his most explicit indication yet that he’s seriously considering his future. The 28-year-old said: “There’s a lot of stuff for me personally to figure out.” When asked to elaborate on what he was referring to, he responded: “Life… Life here,” and confirmed his sentiments are related to the current F1 regulations.
Verstappen has been one of the most outspoken critics of the new cars, which derive nearly half of their power from a battery. The utilisation of that electrical energy has so far proven inconsistent, demanding much greater management from drivers. Most racers have voiced their dislike for the new driving style required, particularly during qualifying sessions.
It certainly marred the event on Saturday at Suzuka, which boasts some typically formidable corners that seemed relatively tame due to reduced cornering speeds caused by flat batteries needing recharging. Verstappen struggled to find the right words, in English or even his native Dutch, to convey his disappointment at the situation.
He stated: “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 is contracted until 2028 but it’s widely known that his agreement includes exit clauses which can be activated even mid-season based on performance. It’s thought that one such clause would allow him to vacate his Red Bull seat if he is not in the top two in the drivers’ championship by the summer break.
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It appears highly unlikely he will be anywhere near that high in the rankings, given he finished sixth in Melbourne, left Shanghai without points and qualified far down the order for today’s Suzuka race. It’s also deemed very unlikely that Verstappen would depart mid-season, so the earliest feasible potential exit we’re looking at would be the end of this year.
But the chances that the four-time champion will leave F1 before his 30th birthday seem to be reducing all the time. Whether or not he acts on his threats will largely hinge on whether F1 bosses can propose potential rule changes for 2027 that might persuade him to give them a go.
“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 investigating other racing series outside F1, having competed at the Nurburgring during some weekends off. Even though he was disqualified after winning one such GT race last weekend, Verstappen stated that participating had put “a big smile” on his face. It’s been a while since he expressed that about competing in F1.
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