Mark Webber: F1 Risks 'Sleepless Nights' Without Max Verstappen

Mark Webber believes Formula 1 must retain Max Verstappen, arguing that the Dutch driver's presence forces rivals into "sleepless nights" and raises the sport's competitive bar. Despite Verstappen's continued unhappiness with current regulations, Webber insists his departure would be a massive loss for everyone involved—from Liberty Media to fans.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's potential exit threatens to remove a key figure who pushes the entire field to improve. As Webber notes, top athletes like Nadal and Federer need each other to keep lifting—Verstappen provides that same impetus in F1. Losing him could lower the intensity of competition, hurt viewership, and weaken the championship's narrative.

The details:

• Verstappen has repeatedly criticized the 2026 regulations, stating that even a winning car wouldn't change his mind about the machinery.
• After pre-Miami tweaks and an improved RB22, Verstappen remained dissatisfied, fueling speculation about an exit at season's end.
• Webber's warning: "People switch on the TV because of Max Verstappen, and Liberty know that. Teams know that. He's important."
• The four-time champion's trophy cabinet and consistent dominance give him the freedom to consider leaving, according to Webber.
• Notably, both his father Jos and FIA president Muhammed Ben Sulayem believe Verstappen will not walk away, despite the rumors.

What's next:

The sport faces a crucial period: can further regulation changes or performance improvements convince Verstappen to stay? Webber, while managing Oscar Piastri, admits his neutral view is that F1 needs Verstappen. The coming months will reveal whether the sport can keep its most dominant driver—or face a future without the benchmark that gives rivals sleepless nights.