Verstappen renews F1 quit threats after Japanese GP struggles
Red Bull Racing’s star man has reiterated his dislike of the new-look F1
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen hinted he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season after reiterating his dislike for the new rules brought into the sport this season.
Red Bull Racing have struggled to get to grips with the biggest regulations change in the sport’s history, with the new style of racing drawing plenty of critics up and down the grid.
Verstappen’s outspoken views on the new cars, which began before they even hit the track, have sine been echoed by other drivers, but the Dutchman’s words have been compounded by Red Bull’s disappointing start to the season.
After a Q2 exit in qualifying, Verstappen cruised into the points scoring positions in Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, but could not make a pass stick on Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, coming home in eighth.
A week earlier, Verstappen enjoyed a dominant performance at the Nurburgring in GT racing, and despite being disqualified from the win after a tyre discrepancy, his enjoyment of driving outside of F1 has only fuelled rumours he could walk away from the pinnacle of motorsport.
“I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock,” he said after the Grand Prix. “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 also quick to dispel talk that his comments are borne out of Red Bull’s early season struggles.
He added: "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.
“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.”