Would Max Verstappen really walk away from F1?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing enters the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) | Getty Images The 2026 Formula 1 season has barely begun, but one of the sport’s brightest stars is thinking about the end. Not just of the season, but his career.

Max Verstappen, the four-time Drivers’ Champion, raised the prospects of walking away from the sport at the end of the 2026 season last weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix. His comments come in a season that began with F1 implementing the biggest set of technical regulation changes in the sport’s history, changes that include a near 50/50 split between battery power and the internal combustion engine in the power units. That change has led to alterations in driving style, with an emphasis on energy harvesting to recover battery power.

With that taking place at various spots on different circuits, including in high-speed corners as we saw last week at the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen is not only struggling in the standings, but finding it hard to enjoy the sport itself. “That’s what I’m saying, I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock,” said Verstappen following the race to BBC Sport , when asked if he was considering leaving F1. “Privately I’m very happy.

You also wait for 24 races,” continued Verstappen. “This time it’s 22. But normally 24.