Max Verstappen gives F1 an ultimatum as he talks about quitting the sport

verstappen, red bull, japan — Photo: © IMAGO

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen gives F1 an ultimatum as he talks about quitting the sport

Max Verstappen is unhappy over F1's new regulations

By Jan Bolscher.

Friday 17 April 2026 17:14

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Max Verstappen has opened up on what it will take to keep him in Formula 1.

The four-time world champion shared some insights into his personal thoughts on the sport amid recent changes in discussions with Viaplay.

Recently, Verstappen has been the centre of discussions in motorsport’s elite division. Following the Japanese Grand Prix, he admitted uncertainty over his long-term plans in F1 due to the upcoming regulation changes.

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Last week, news surfaced that his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to join McLaren after 2027. Despite initial concerns that this might jeopardise his future, the departure appears to be unrelated to the 28-year-old driver’s own plans.

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Verstappen on F1 regulations

During his chat with Viaplay, Verstappen was naturally asked about Lambiase’s exit. He confirmed that he fully supported his engineer’s decision to seize the opportunity.

The champion also dropped hints about ongoing discussions with the FIA and Formula 1 regarding potential tweaks to the current regulations. “Just talking about it is a step forward,” he said. “The issue is that while adjustments can be made, there’s a fundamental problem. Not everyone will admit it publicly, but it’s the reality.”

Verstappen on his F1 future

In recent weeks, Verstappen has been very vocal with his criticism. “I’m just trying to fix things. Even if I eventually decide to step away, I want this sport to remain respectable,” he explained.

When asked if this comments hinted at an imminent departure from F1, he was coy. “Things have to change. If they do, I’d consider bringing back the V10 or V8 engines.”

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