Verstappen renews quit threat: 'Not mentally doable' under current F1 rules

Max Verstappen has renewed his threat to quit Formula 1, stating that continuing under the current regulations is "mentally not doable." The four-time world champion, who has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, expressed his frustration after qualifying sixth for the Canadian Grand Prix, warning that if the rules remain unchanged, next year would be "a long year that I don't want."

Why it matters:

Verstappen's repeated warnings carry significant weight for F1's future. As the sport's dominant driver and a key figure in its global appeal, his potential departure — whether through retirement or a sabbatical — would be a major blow. His criticism has already prompted action from the FIA and teams, who agreed in principle to adjust the 2027 power unit regulations to address driver concerns about energy management and unnatural driving styles.

The details:

• Verstappen has been skeptical of F1's 2026 regulations since 2023, criticizing the near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy that forces drivers to manage energy rather than push flat-out.
• The FIA announced last week that an agreement in principle has been reached to shift the power unit split to 60-40 in favor of the internal combustion engine for 2027, reducing energy management demands.
• However, exact details are still under discussion among engine manufacturers — Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull-Ford, Audi, and Honda — which could delay changes to 2028.
• When asked if he would take a sabbatical in 2027 and return later, Verstappen replied: "No. There's a lot of other fun things out there."
• The 28-year-old has expanded his racing activities outside F1, including competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours and making multiple trips to the Nordschleife over the past year.

What's next:

The FIA has already tweaked the 2026 regulations since the Miami Grand Prix, which drivers received positively. But Verstappen's patience appears thin. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies defended the Dutchman, saying "Max cares about the sport" and that his vocal stance has been heard by stakeholders. The coming months will be critical: if the 2027 changes are finalized and deliver the flat-out racing Verstappen demands, he may stay. If not, F1 could face the prospect of losing its biggest star.

Verstappen summed it up simply: "I just want a good product in Formula 1."