Max Verstappen drops bombshell on F1 future as Red Bull struggle under new regulations: 'I am not enjoying...'

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has surprised many fans after he admitted that he is thinking about his future in Formula 1. The Red Bull driver made these comments after finishing eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on Sunday, March 29. He openly said that he is not enjoying the sport the way he used to earlier in his career.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport after the race, Verstappen explained that the recent rule changes in F1 have made racing less fun for him. The 28-year-old driver said he is now thinking about whether it is worth continuing in the sport or spending more time with his family and friends instead.

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"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 was quoted as saying in the interview.

Verstappen ready to retire after 2026

Verstappen said that even though he is still committed to racing, it has become difficult to enjoy driving the car under the new engine rules. The Dutch driver made it clear that his frustration is not because Red Bull is struggling at the start of the 2026 season. He said he can accept finishing in positions like seventh or eighth, because he understands that no team can dominate all the time. However, he added that when a driver is not enjoying, it becomes hard to stay motivated.

"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," he added.

"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," he said.

Verstappen has been one of the most successful drivers in recent F1 history. He won four consecutive world titles between 2021 and 2024 and narrowly missed the championship last season to Lando Norris by just two points. Despite all these achievements, he said that he is now pushing himeself a lot more to give 100 percent, which is not healthy.

"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 it is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I'm doing," he said.

Verstappen reveals his future plans

He also hinted that he could explore other racing opportunities in the future. Verstappen revealed that he is interested in sports car racing and is planning to take part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race in Germany this year. He also has projects related to GT3 racing that he wants to grow in the coming years.

"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," Verstappen said.

"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 added.