Max Verstappen in fresh F1 retirement rumours as enjoyment complaints continue

Max Verstappen could sensationally quit Formula 1 at the end of the season because he is “not enjoying the sport”, it has been reported.

After finishing eighth in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, four-time world champion Verstappen once again underlined his displeasure with the new power unit regulations introduced for the 2026 F1 season.

When asked whether that meant he could quit F1 at the end of the year during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live at Suzuka, Verstappen replied: "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?”

Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season but has stated on several occasions that he could walk away from F1 sooner.

The 28-year-old Dutchman, who became a father last year, has been the most vocal and harshest critic of F1’s new rules and cars, likening them to “Formula E on steroids”.

Verstappen has been consistent in his enjoyment complaints so far this year and a report from Dutch publication De Telegraaf claims he is seriously considering retirement.

It comes from respected Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, who is close to the Verstappen camp and is usually reliable on all things relating to the Red Bull driver.

The outlet reports Verstappen faces "crucial weeks ahead" as he considers his future during the upcoming April F1 break following the cancellation of the double-header in the Middle East due to the Iran war.

"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," Verstappen added. "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.”

One possible option for Verstappen would be to make a full-time switch to sports cars. He has already taken part in several one-off races and is preparing to contest the famed Nurburgring 24 Hours for the first time in May.

"I have a lot of other projects anyway that I have a lot of passion about," he said. "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."