“If F1 Doesn’t Work…!” Max Verstappen Jokes About Quitting F1 for Rallying

The 2026 Miami Grand Prix marked the return of the Formula One garage after a month-long unscheduled season break and with the rule changes introduced, the event produced a solid race. But for four times champion Max Verstappen, it was another race where lady luck left him stranded as soon as the race started.

At the start of the race, the Dutchman who started the race at P2 spun out in a 360 angle during an intense battle for lead with Charles Leclerc. His save after uncharacteristically spin would have made his dad Jose Verstappen, who is now a rally driver, proud. The No:33 driver joked about it post-race, hinting at quitting F1 for rallying.

I lost the rear in Turn 2 and then of course I tried to minimise the time loss by doing a 360. Yeah, I thought I was going to crash but then I floored it, so I managed to do a good 360. If F1 doesn’t work out I can always go rally! …We just pushed into the corner but I just lost suddenly the rear. It just started to slide and once it goes, with heavy fuel, it’s hard to catch.

Max Verstappen said post-race.

The Red Bull driver Max Verstappen spun out and lost key position because he pushed too much in the corner. It ruined any momentum he had in the race, as they got stuck in the midfield pack and once, they pitted for hard tires the car gave up on them. The only positive about the day was the fact that despite all the struggles, he was able to secure a top 5 finish (P5).

I think the pace was not too bad on the medium but as soon as I swapped to the hard compound it was just a lot more difficult. I think now after the race it’s easy to say of course but I think that stint was just a bit too long.

Max Verstappen added via motorsport.com.

Max Verstappen gets called out for not respecting midfield drivers

After the race, Verstappen’s ex-Torro Rosso teammate Carlos Sainz called him out. He was unhappy with how the RB driver ran his Willaim’s off the track while they were dueling in the md-field. The Spaniard feels the aggressiveness was deliberate and he was doing it knowing he will get the pass from midfield drivers owing to the pace gap.

People were racing really hard, and I don’t know why; they woke up wanting to crash. Many people were out there, but I kept out of trouble… No disrespect, but what [Max] did in Turn 17 was almost like a launch, knowing that because we’re in the midfield, we are not going to fight him and we’re going to have to let him by at some point.

Carlos Sainz said.

On his post-race press conferences, the veteran Red Bull driver was asked about his ex-teammate’s comments. He didn’t know what to say, but admitted that the midfield battle was like a jungle with multiple cars competing for the same few points rewarding spots.

I don’t know, it is a bit of a jungle in the midfield, so I don’t know what to say.

Max Verstappen responded.

The comments from the veteran shows his unapologetic racing style that made him the champion he is now. It would be interesting to see if the Red Bull get their cars right in the coming days, or Verstappen will yet again find himself in the unwanted midfield battles.

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