“Is it actually a good life?” Max Verstappen clarifies quit threats as F1 legends ask him to walk out

Max Verstappen questions F1's worthiness as he considers retirement amid the contentious new sprint weekend, while former F1 drivers advice him to quit if he feels so

“Is it actually a good life?” Max Verstappen clarifies quit threats as F1 legends ask him to walk out

Max Verstappen (Credits: GP Fans)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has spoken out about his recent threats to leave Formula One, expressing his reservations over the sport’s direction. The defending World Champion has been outspoken in his opposition to changes to the race weekend format, including the addition of Sprint events and the proposed schedule expansion to include even more races.

In an interview with Racing News 365, Verstappen stated, “I always said that even if there wouldn’t be any more Sprints, if we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question ‘is it worth it?’” The Dutchman added, “I do like racing, I like winning, I know the salary… you have a good life. But is it actually a good life? Sometimes, you get to the point of your career where you want to do other stuff.”

Max Verstappen acknowledged that he is under contract with Red Bull until 2028 and postponed his thoughts about the future in F1 to that time. “You always have to be talking to yourself, looking at yourself – ‘are you still motivated?’ and at the moment that is the case, but there will certainly be a point where you want to do other stuff as well.” Crediting the wonders that F1 has provided, Max stated, “Yes, it is great, it is amazing, and you can do a lot of things, but there is always a limit to certain things.”

Discover: Aston Martin urges F1 to ‘keep its DNA’ amidst radical Baku race weekend changes

F1 Legends urge Max Verstappen to quit if he is going to threaten to resign

Damon Hill and Max Verstappen
Damon Hill and Max Verstappen

Earlier this season, Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 champion, urged Verstappen to quit racing if he was “not having fun.” He told the Sky Sports F1 podcast, “I think fun is a very important point. Is he having fun, because I sometimes think he’s not having fun. You have to love what you’re doing. Otherwise, it’s a grind.” Ralf Schumacher, who won six Grands Prix in his 11-year F1 career, mirrored Hill’s sentiments. Schumacher told Sky Deutschland: “If Verstappen wants to go, then he should go. As much as I love him, it won’t kill Formula 1.”

The new Sprint format is the source of the current F1 debate. The World Motor Sport Council approved measures submitted by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. The new weekend will include only one Free Practice session, with the Sprint race and the Sprint qualifying taking up the entire Saturday. The only Free Practice session will be contested on Friday, followed by qualifying to determine the grid for the main race on Sunday. 

While Verstappen’s recent threat to leave Formula One has generated a sensation, he appears not alone in his concerns about the sport’s present trajectory. However, Hill and Schumacher’s reactions to Verstappen’s words were surprising, advising that if he is not enjoying racing, he should retire. It remains to be seen if Verstappen will act on his threats or continue to race in Formula One. It will be interesting to observe how drivers adapt and respond to these changes as the sport continues to grow and experiment with different forms. 

In case you missed it: