Max Verstappen is not happy. While Red Bull has failed to give him a car capable of fighting for podiums in this early part of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the sweeping regulation changes are proving a much bigger issue for the Dutchman.
Described as "anti-racing" and "Formula E on steroids" by many in the F1 paddock, the new cars require constant energy management, lift-and-coast driving, and battery deployment instead of flat-out racing. Overtaking often involves artificial "boost" passes followed by sudden slowdowns, creating "yo-yo" or chaotic racing that's seen as unsafe and less pure.
Verstappen first warned F1 bosses of these issues in 2023 and has repeatedly said that the overhaul is pushing him to consider walking away from the sport.
Some accuse the four-time Drivers' Champion of complaining because he's not winning, but similar grumbles are coming from drivers in teams across the entire grid, including backmarkers and the frontrunners (well, aside from Mercedes, for obvious reasons).
In a lengthy interview with BBC Sport, Verstappen talked candidly about his concerns for F1 and why he's considering walking away:
"I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock. 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?"
"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am. 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. I've not only been winning in F1. 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.
"Of course I try to adapt to it, but it's not nice the way you have to race. It's really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it's just not what I want to do. And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day it's not about money any more because this has always been my passion."
"As a kid this is what I wanted to do and back then I had no idea what I was going to achieve and how much money you make. You never think about that as a kid. And it's also not about that. I want to be here to have fun and have a great time and enjoy myself. At the moment that's not really the case. Of course I do enjoy certain aspects. I enjoy working with my team. It's like a second family. But once I sit in the car it's not the most enjoyable unfortunately. I'm trying. I keep telling myself every day to try and enjoy it. It's just very hard."
"I see it like this: You hear it from a lot of sports people when you speak to them about how are you successful. It all starts with actually enjoying what you're doing before you can actually commit to it 100%. Now I think I'm committing 100% and I'm still trying, 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.
"And now people can easily say, 'Yeah, well, you've won so many championships and races and now just because the car is not good you are complaining.' Maybe you can see it like that, but I see it different. I have a lot of other projects anyway that I have a lot of passion about. The GT3 racing. Not only racing it myself but also the team. It's really nice and fun to build that. And I really want to build that out further in the coming years.
"It's not like if I would stop here that I'm not going to do anything. I'm always going to have fun. And also I will have fun in a lot of other things in my life. But it's a bit sad to be honest that we're even talking about this. It is what it is. You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'll be fine."
When it was put to Verstappen that a rule change for the 2027 season could change his mind, he simply replied, "They know what to do."
It's since been reported that Verstappen and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali are set to have dinner together soon, likely to discuss his concerns with the regulations and what can be done moving forward. While details of that conversation will likely be kept private, it could be a step in the right direction.
For anyone not convinced by Verstappen's threats to walk away from the F1 grid, trusted insider Erik van Haren has confirmed that the Red Bull driver is seriously considering an F1 retirement after 2026 due to the current regulations. Losing a driver many consider to be one of, if not the, greatest of all time, because the ball has been dropped on these rule changes would be a colossal disaster for the sport.
Hopefully, we'll have some more positive updates to share in the coming weeks.