Max Verstappen has revealed he is contemplating walking away from Formula 1 when the current season concludes, following a disappointing eighth-place result at Suzuka.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the Japanese Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver expressed deep frustration with this year's sweeping regulation changes.
"That's what I'm saying. I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock," Verstappen stated when asked about a potential departure.
The Dutchman was particularly critical of the new engine requirements, which demand constant energy management throughout each lap.
"It's not nice the way you have to race. It's really anti-driving," he said.
The four-time world champion made clear his unhappiness extends beyond Red Bull's current struggles, pointing instead to fundamental issues with how modern F1 cars must be driven.
Verstappen emphasised that his frustration has nothing to do with finishing outside the top positions, noting he has experienced difficult periods before in his career.
"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am," he explained.
Max Verstappen could only finish eighth during the Japanese Grand Prix
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"Because I also know that you can't be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time."
The core problem, he argued, lies in how the new power units require multiple recharges per lap, causing drivers to lose pace approaching corners as batteries deplete and begin regenerating.
This creates situations where overtakes become meaningless, as Verstappen discovered battling Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
"You can pass around here, but then you have no battery for the next straight," he said.
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F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS"You can pass, but then you get re-passed."
Despite his disillusionment, Verstappen insisted his potential exit would not leave him idle, pointing to numerous projects that already occupy his attention.
"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."
The 2026 season marks a challenging start for the Dutchman, who finished sixth in Australia and retired from the Chinese Grand Prix before his Suzuka struggles.
He also raised the question of work-life balance, asking whether enduring 22 or 24 races annually remains worthwhile when the enjoyment has faded.
"Do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?" he pondered.
Max Verstappen cut a dejected figure after Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix
|GETTY
Verstappen delivered a pointed message to those running the sport, suggesting his decision could be influenced by regulatory adjustments.
"They know what to do," he stated simply.
Formula 1 officials are scheduled to convene during the four-week interval before the Miami Grand Prix to address concerns about energy management during qualifying sessions.
The requirement for drivers to conserve battery power even during single-lap attempts is widely acknowledged within the paddock as a problem requiring urgent attention.
Verstappen, who claimed four successive championships between 2021 and 2024 before narrowly losing last year's title to Lando Norris by just two points, acknowledged the situation with resignation.
"But it's a bit sad to be honest that we're even talking about this," he reflected. "It is what it is."