Verstappen’s F1 Future in Doubt, Says Slow Start Isn’t the Reason

At just 28 years old, Max Verstappen has already cemented himself as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all-time. But he’s already contemplating cutting his career short.

Following Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, the four-time World Champion said he’s been questioning his racing career when asked by BBC Sport whether he’s considering retirement following the 2026 season, his 12th year on the grid.

“That’s what I’m saying. I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock,” Verstappen said. “Privately, I’m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24. And 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?”

Verstappen’s comments come during a horrific start to his season amid widespread F1 regulation changes. He finished eighth at Suzuka on Sunday and sits in ninth in the drivers’ championship through three races.

The last time Verstappen finished outside of the top 3 was in 2018. The only time he wasn’t at least in the top 6 was in 2015, his rookie season, when he drove for the Racing Bulls, then called Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team.

But Verstappen said Sunday that the lack of competitiveness isn’t the reason for his sudden introspection.

“I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am,” he said. “Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before. … But at the same time, when you are in P7 or P8, and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver.”

Verstappen has talked about his dissatisfaction with F1 over the past several months, but his comments have usually been related to the new rules. He called the new cars “terrible” in preseason. Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this month, he admitted he wasn’t enjoying the sport as much as he would like—but also said he wasn’t looking to retire.

“I mean, I don’t want to leave really,” Verstappen said. “I wish I had a bit more fun for sure, but I’m also doing other stuff that is a lot of fun. I get to race the Nordschleife. Hope in the coming years I can do Spa, hopefully Le Mans. So, I’m combining stuff to find other stuff that I find really fun as well. So I have a lot of distractions at the same time.”