Why Max Verstappen Said He Might Quit Formula 1 Next Year

Max Verstappen isn't promising he’ll stick out his current Formula 1 contract. The reigning four-time world champion made it clear—the next-generation 2026 cars better be fun to drive, or he'll walk.

Formula 1 is preparing for its most dramatic technical overhaul since the 2014 introduction of hybrid power units. The 2026 ruleset shifts the power unit to an almost 50/50 balance between electric and internal-combustion output, while dialing back ground-effect downforce and introducing active aerodynamic elements aimed at boosting straight-line efficiency.

Early simulator work hasn’t won many fans in the paddock, with several drivers calling the first development models slow and awkward.

Speaking with PA, Verstappen said that his long-term future hinges on whether F1’s new direction still gives him the satisfaction he expects from the sport.

“My contract runs until 2028, but it will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun,” Verstappen said. “If they are not fun, then I don’t really see myself hanging around. Winning seven titles is not on my mind. I know that there are three more years after this one, so it could be possible, but it is not something I need to do before I leave the sport. I can leave the sport easily tomorrow.”

Verstappen won't be sad to see the current cars disappear at the end of the 2025 season. Despite winning four consecutive titles during the ground effect era, the current regulations have been hard on his body.

“It hasn't been comfortable at all, all these years - my whole back is falling apart and my feet always hurt," said Verstappen following the Las Vegas Grand Prix last week. “Physically, it hasn't been the best. When you do scans, they don't look good. On the other hand, if you look at motocross, we have nothing to complain about. But if you know what it was or what it could be, I'd rather go for what we had in 2015-2016.”

Verstappen has been quite open about what comes next. He’s long expressed interest in endurance racing and already made his debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife earlier this year, running with his GT3-class team to prepare for a future Le Mans entry.

One scenario he’s definitely not interested in is the idea of taking a break and returning later—a path several past champions, including Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Kimi Raikkonen, have taken.

“I have a lot of other passions; other racing categories, I want to spend more time with the family, and live off my own schedule,” he said. “And in my mind, I know if I close the chapter, it is closed. I don’t see myself stopping and coming back. Once I stop, I really stop.”

Pre-season work on the 2026 cars begins in late January with a private shakedown in Barcelona, followed by Bahrain testing before the season opens in Australia on March 8. But before that, the 2025 championship still has to be finalized. Verstappen sits tied for second with Oscar Piastri, trailing the leading McLaren of Lando Norris by 24 points with two Grand Prix and a Sprint race remaining.

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