Max Verstappen has cast doubt over his long-term future in F1, admitting he no longer finds enjoyment under the current regulations following the race at Suzuka on Sunday where he finished 7th.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Red Bull driver revealed the demands of the calendar and the nature of the racing had prompted him to reflect on his priorities, despite remaining content away from the track.
Growing doubts over enjoyment and balance as Verstappen reflects on his future in F1 after Suzuka
Verstappen admitted in Suzuka he had begun to question his future in F1 after struggling to find enjoyment under the current regulations. The Red Bull driver suggested the demanding schedule and evolving engine rules had prompted deeper reflection on his priorities.
While he remained content in his personal life, he indicated the intensity of a long season had led him to weigh up whether continuing in the sport still felt worthwhile, or if he preferred to spend more time at home with family and friends.
“[I’m] not enjoying the whole formula. That’s what I’m saying. 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?”
Frustration with “anti-driving” race style outweighs results as Verstappen questions his place in F1
Verstappen explained after the Suzuka race that his frustration did not stem from a lack of competitiveness, stressing he had no issue finishing outside the F1 podium positions. He maintained a realistic outlook on performance swings, having experienced both winning and more difficult periods in the past.
The Dutchman instead pointed to the current style of racing, which he felt went against a driver’s natural instincts and reduced the enjoyment behind the wheel. While he continued to adapt, Verstappen made clear the way races unfolded no longer aligned with what he wanted from the sport, adding that financial reward no longer outweighed his passion for driving.
“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.”
Struggling to rediscover joy behind the wheel despite success, Verstappen reflects on fading passion in 2026
Verstappen arrived in 2026 off the back of four consecutive F1 titles between 2021 and 2024 and had narrowly missed out on a fifth, losing last year’s championship to Lando Norris by just two points. The new season, however, proved more challenging, with a sixth-place finish in Australia followed by a retirement in China.
Reflecting on his journey, Verstappen pointed back to his childhood ambitions, when racing had been driven purely by passion rather than success or financial reward. Although he still valued the environment within his team, describing it as a second family, he admitted the experience behind the wheel no longer brought the same enjoyment.
Despite making a conscious effort to rediscover that feeling, Verstappen conceded it had become increasingly difficult.
“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.”
Frustrations highlight deeper concerns as Verstappen questions sustainability of full commitment without enjoyment
Verstappen described a frustrating race at Suzuka, where overtaking proved ineffective on Gasly due to energy limitations on the straights. He noted that any attempt to pass left him vulnerable immediately afterwards, with positions quickly reversed, summing up the pattern of his race.
Reflecting more broadly, Verstappen insisted he continued to commit fully, but admitted the effort required to maintain that level no longer felt sustainable given his lack of enjoyment. He acknowledged that some might view his concerns as a reaction to reduced competitiveness, but made clear that, from his perspective, the issue ran deeper than results alone.
“You can pass around here, but then you have no battery for the next straight. So I tried once just to have a look, but then of course Pierre immediately got by me again on the main straight and I think that was basically the story of today. You can pass, but then you get re-passed. That was basically it.
“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.”
Exploring life beyond F1, Verstappen eyes GT3 ambitions as he leaves door open on future decisions
Verstappen pointed to a growing list of interests beyond Formula 1, highlighting his involvement in GT3 racing, both as a driver and through building his own team. He spoke with enthusiasm about developing that project further in the coming years, making clear that stepping away from the series would not mean stepping away from racing altogether.
While he admitted it felt disappointing to even consider such a scenario, Verstappen remained pragmatic, stressing he would continue to find enjoyment in other areas of his life.
“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.”
He also suggested that those in charge of the sport were aware of what needed to change, hinting that adjustments to the regulations could influence his decision about the future.
“They know what to do.”
