Max Verstappen's 'ego' to blame for F1 outbursts

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen's 'ego' to blame for F1 outbursts

An F1 pundit has warned Verstappen

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Wednesday 8 April 2026 11:57

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Max Verstappen's 'ego' has been cited as the reason for the F1 champion's ardent criticism of the new cars and regulations.

While some are gladdened to see Verstappen speaking out against the new F1 cars - with their need for energy management leading to claims the sport is 'anti-racing' - others are growing weary of the Dutchman's criticism.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle sent a stern warning to Verstappen on the F1 Show, referencing reports that the champion was 'seriously considering retirement'.

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The 66-year-old said: "I think it's getting a bit boring with what he's saying. Either go or stop talking about it, because it is what it is, you've got to make the most of it."

Now, Brundle's colleague over at Sky Germany Ralf Schumacher, also expressed similar sentiments and called for Verstappen to put his 'ego aside'.

Schumacher: F1 is bigger than us

Speaking on Sky Sports Germany's 'Backstage Pit Lane' podcast, the six-time race winner also refused to look kindly upon Verstappen's media interviews and warned him to be careful.

"Max is frustrated by the new regulations, the new Formula 1. If he were to win now, he still wouldn’t particularly like it, but it would be easier for him and we’d hear less criticism from him," Schumacher argued.

"Now he simply has to put his own ego aside – after all, he’s well paid for it – and play the team player; that’s what’s important right now.

"Verstappen’s comments aren’t fair to his partners, because at some point Red Bull and the others will naturally start asking themselves: ‘He’s been saying all along that he’s not up for it, yet here he is driving around the Nordschleife, and now he wants to race at Le Mans. Is he even still the one who’s giving his all to get the team out of the mire?’ Max needs to be careful there."

"Formula 1 is bigger than any one of us. Whether it was Bernie Ecclestone or any driver, for that matter. If they were no longer there tomorrow, what would happen to Formula 1? Young drivers would come through.

"To put it plainly, even though I’d be sorry to see it happen because I really like him, if Max Verstappen were to retire, it would be the same. If he no longer wants to drive in Formula 1, then he has to stick to his decision and the team can look for a new driver."

F1 Red Bull Max Verstappen