‘I’m not enjoying it’: Max Verstappen admits he may walk away from F1 in 2026

Suzuka: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has cast a shadow over the Formula 1 paddock by admitting he is considering his future in the sport following a frustrating eighth-place finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Red Bull driver, who dominated the sport with four consecutive titles between 2021 and 2024, revealed his dissatisfaction with the massive regulation changes introduced this season. In a candid interview with BBC Sport, the Dutchman suggested he may walk away from the grid at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign if his enjoyment of the "formula" does not improve.

"I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock," Verstappen said. "Privately I’m very happy. But then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?"

The source of Verstappen’s frustration lies in the 2026 engine regulations, which require significant energy management. Drivers must frequently recharge batteries during a lap, often losing speed at the end of long straights—a phenomenon Verstappen described as "anti-driving." While the constant swapping of positions has proved popular with some fans, Verstappen argued that the racing feels unnatural because overtakes are often dictated by battery charge levels rather than raw driver skill.

The 2026 season has been a stark departure for the man who narrowly lost the 2025 title to Lando Norris. After a sixth-place finish in Australia and a retirement in China, Verstappen currently sits well outside the title fight. However, he insisted his exit talk is not a reaction to Red Bull’s lack of pace, noting he can "easily accept" finishing in the midfield if the racing itself remains a passion.

"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 because I also know that you can’t be dominating or fighting for a podium every time," he said. "But the way that I am telling myself to give it 100% I think is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I’m doing."

Verstappen, who debuted as a 17-year-old in 2015, indicated he has plenty of interests outside the F1 bubble, including his GT3 racing team and an upcoming appearance at the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

F1 bosses are scheduled to meet before the upcoming Miami Grand Prix to discuss potential rule tweaks, specifically regarding energy management during qualifying. For Verstappen, such changes may be the only way to keep him in the seat.

"I want to be here to have fun," he added. "At the moment that’s not really the case."