Verstappen reiterates his F1 retirement warning as opposition to the 2027 regulations intensifies.

      Max Verstappen has once again hinted at the possibility of leaving Formula 1 if the sport chooses to abandon the planned engine rule changes for 2027. Just days after expressing confidence in the FIA's commitment to lessen the electrical focus of the 2026 regulations, the Red Bull driver is now openly expressing his frustration due to reports that some manufacturers are resisting the proposed revisions that were previously agreed upon.

      "I can’t go on like this. No way," Verstappen stated in Montreal. "If it remains this way, next year will be a long season, and I do not want that."

      While the Dutchman stopped just short of explicitly threatening to retire, he did suggest it could be a possibility. When asked if he could leave Formula 1 if the changes were postponed or canceled, Verstappen replied, "If it stays that way ... well, we’ll see," emphasizing that F1 is currently "absolutely not enjoyable" for him.

      He indicated that political maneuvering by certain manufacturers is hindering progress, saying, "Not all teams agreed. That’s how Formula 1 works." The four-time world champion seemed to point towards Ferrari as particularly resistant, while hinting that Mercedes supports the proposed direction for 2027. "If the FIA is strong and so is the FOM, they just have to do this," Verstappen asserted.

      Meanwhile, Verstappen’s increasing interest in GT racing has fueled speculation regarding his long-term future in Formula 1. Following his well-received appearance at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, some fans suggested that his racing at Nordschleife is more thrilling than modern Formula 1 itself. "Yes, I understand that," Verstappen acknowledged to De Telegraaf. "There’s a lot of action on the Nordschleife. It feels genuine, and the overtakes don’t seem artificial. It is brutal and unforgiving."

      The Dutchman also criticized the contemporary Formula 1 calendar, noting, "In Formula 1, we race on beautiful circuits, but also some not so great ones." Verstappen is even contemplating adding the 24 Hours of Daytona to his schedule for early next year, stating, "If I wanted to do that, I would have to modify my entire training program. I would also need to discuss it with my family. It's just an idea right now, but it isn’t concrete yet."

      In Montreal, however, Verstappen is facing a particularly challenging weekend in the RB22. He has repeatedly complained about severe bouncing and poor straight-line performance, joking that he needs "a new back" instead of a new car. "You arrive slower at certain corners because you have to slow down so much," Verstappen explained, adding that this also alters his braking points. Team boss Laurent Mekies conceded that Red Bull had intentionally experimented with the setup despite the frustration it caused. "Sorry Max, we know this was frustrating," Mekies stated over team radio. "But we have a lot to learn. It is painful, but this is necessary data."