Max Verstappen to ‘possibly’ not extend his F1 deal in case racing gets severely affected by 2026 regulations

Max Verstappen has been sensational under the current set of F1 regulations.

Max Verstappen to ‘possibly’ not extend his F1 deal in case racing gets severely affected by 2026 regulations

Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase (Via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 world champion, has been on a warpath under the current set of F1 regulations. He has operated on a whole new level, but ahead of the 2026 regulations, he has made it known that he might not extend his contract if the quality of racing is severely affected by them.

Max Verstappen currently has a contract in place at Red Bull that runs until the end of the 2028 campaign. There are still several years remaining on his deal looking ahead, he is quite skeptical about the impact that the 2026 regulations will have on the quality of racing.

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The 26-year-old was recently asked whether he would not extend his deal at the pinnacle of motor racing if the 2026 regulations have a negative impact on the sport, and while responding to the same, he gave a very short and crips answer that he might decide to end his F1 carrer. The Dutchamn also gave a concering verdict on the currrent version of the 2026 regualtions, while discusing quality of racing, admiting he doesn’t see them as ecxciting as oit should be.

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Yes, possibly....I don't think we're stupid. We'll find out how good it will be. It's still not particularly exciting at the moment.
Verstappen said, as reported by Motorsports Magazine.

Looking at the reaction of the 3-time F1 world champion, it is quite clear that he has already started to have his doubts regarding the 2026 regulations. There is a growing belief in the F1 paddock that the 2026 regulations will change the whole landscape of the sport.

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Max Verstappen could secure two more titles by the time 2026 comes around

While Max Verstappen has raised questions regarding the quality of racing from 2026 onward, that year is still some time away. Two years are remaining under the current set of regulations and considering how dominant Red Bull has proven to be, Verstappen has a chance to wrap up two more titles before 2026.

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen
Christian Horner and Max Verstappen. (Image via IMAGO)

Under the current set of regulations, Verstappen has operated on a different playing field and has scored Grand Prix wins for fun. To put things into perspective, he scored a mammoth nineteen race victories during the recently concluded 2023 F1 season and wrapped up the title during the Qatar weekend.

Max Verstappen has seen tremendous growth in his stature as an F1 driver in recent years, and considering that he has already started having his doubts regarding 2026, there are very good chances that he will go gun-ho during the upcoming 2024 and 2025 F1 seasons.

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