Verstappen acknowledges he might think about leaving F1.

      "Life is not solely about Formula 1"

      Max Verstappen has candidly expressed that he might contemplate stepping away from Formula 1, as his exasperation with the 2026 regulations and Red Bull's challenges continue to grow. The Dutch driver appeared increasingly resigned during the race at Suzuka, even sharing that he found himself laughing when overtaken by Pierre Gasly. "Yes, I waved to him because I was suddenly 50 km/h slower again," the four-time world champion remarked. "You can’t overtake normally. It’s achievable, but afterward, your battery drains on the straight. I try to laugh about it because being upset constantly doesn’t really help. But I was already counting down the laps to the finish. 15 to go, 10 more, 5 more! Come on! Ah, finally it’s over."

      Beneath the humor, however, is a more significant message regarding his future. "In the upcoming weeks or months," Verstappen responded when asked about his future considerations. "Life continues. There is more to life than just Formula 1. There are various things one can pursue."

      He emphasized that the fundamental issue is not about performance but rather enjoyment. "You start to wonder, 'Is it worth it?' Or do I find more joy being at home with my family? Spending more time with friends when your passion for your sport is fading?"

      "Currently, I believe I'm giving 100 percent and I’m still putting in the effort, but the way I’m convincing myself to do so doesn’t seem very healthy at the moment because I’m not enjoying what I’m doing." Former driver Christijan Albers thinks Verstappen's remarks should be taken genuinely. "This is a serious interview," he stated. "This situation needs to change. He just has to remain in Formula 1."

      Albers suggested that Verstappen is expected to have another discussion with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali soon, as the pressure on the sport's leadership increases. "I know there’s a dinner planned between him and Stefano Domenicali," he mentioned. Nonetheless, Verstappen's superior, Laurent Mekies, claims the situation is more straightforward within Red Bull. "I’m confident that if we provide him with a fast car, Max will be much, much happier," he stated. "If we give him a car that allows him to push and make an impact, then Max will also feel much more satisfied. That’s essentially the main focus of our discussions."