Wolff is hopeful that Verstappen won't leave, as the Dutch driver contemplates his future.

      Toto Wolff has expressed his hope that Max Verstappen will not leave Formula 1, as there are increasing indications that the Dutch driver is losing his motivation. The four-time world champion appeared deeply despondent following his qualifying session at Suzuka, where Red Bull's difficulties and Verstappen's dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations have been growing.

      "I am no longer frustrated. I have moved past that," Verstappen shared. "I can't find the right word for it in English or even in Dutch. There isn't a word for it. I have a lot of personal things to sort out."

      When asked to clarify his statement, Verstappen offered a revealing response: "Life ... life here."

      His remarks come as he faces two significant challenges: frustration with the new energy-intensive regulations and a Red Bull car that lacks competitiveness. Wolff, in an interview with Sky Deutschland, acknowledged this situation is understandable.

      "Max is undoubtedly an emotional person. For him, the joy of driving is paramount. I can easily see how that may not be the case right now. It would be unfortunate if we were to lose Max from Formula 1 entirely. However, we are satisfied with our two drivers and do not plan on making any changes."

      Verstappen also indicated that his future in the sport may hinge on its direction moving forward. "Much depends on what decisions are made for next year," he noted. "When I am in the car, I want to give it my all, but in the current state of Formula 1, I am unable to do that and I am not enjoying it. Being away from home for an extended period, you hope to find at least some pleasure in what you're doing."

      Although he continues to seek enjoyment through GT racing, Verstappen suggested that this might not suffice in the long run. "Yes, I will try to find joy in racing through other avenues," he mentioned, almost confirming his return to the Nordschleife before the next grand prix in Miami. "However, eventually, that might not be enough."

      Verstappen also responded to the media controversy at Suzuka, justifying his choice to remove a journalist from his press conference. "If you don’t show me respect, why should I show you respect?" he stated. "I have been in Formula 1 long enough to distinguish between those with good intentions and those without. If you mock me like that, it’s clear you have bad intentions."

      With Red Bull facing difficulties and regulations continuing to spark debate, Verstappen cautioned that the season could prove to be lengthy if conditions don’t improve. "I hope the month-long break before Miami brings about some changes. If we persist in this manner, the season is going to feel very long given the issues we are facing."