Max Verstappen has been a vocal critic of Formula One's new regulations, and his lack of enjoyment could lead to him stepping away.
Max Verstappen is considering retiring from Formula One at the end of the season, saying regulation changes have caused him to stop enjoying the sport.

Verstappen has endured a miserable start to the 2026 campaign, which continued this weekend as he finished a lowly eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, who had won each of the previous four stagings of the race at Suzuka, was sixth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and retired in China in week two.

He has been highly critical of the impact engine rule changes have had on the sport, despite others – including Lewis Hamilton – favouring the new style of racing.

The sport's new power units place a greater emphasis on electrical power, necessitating that drivers choose moments to recharge and boost power during races, while the 2026 cars are also lighter and more nimble than their predecessors to facilitate more wheel-to-wheel racing.

Verstappen has compared F1's new look to Mario Kart and described it as "Formula E on steroids", and he now says the changes could prompt him to step away.

Asked if he could turn his back on F1 in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live after Sunday's race, Verstappen said: "That's what I'm saying