“There are Some Politics!” Kevin Harvick Predicts Max Verstappen’s F1 Retirement After Latest 2026 Regulation Rant

The 2026 F1 season so far has been a nightmare for four times champion Max Verstappen. Red Bull has failed to deliver a fast car, following the regulations change, which the Dutchman sees as anti-racing. Last Sunday, after another disappointing night at Suzuka, the No:3 driver even admitted that that he is contemplating retirement.

2014 NASCAR Cup champion Kevin Harvick talked about the situation in the latest episode of the SPEED with Harvick and Buxton podcast. He explained the politics the Red Bull driver is playing with his aggressive comments in public about the regulations. There is no other driver in the grid with the same soft power to take such actions.

I believe there are a lot of politics being played. They got this break, they adjusted the qualifying a little bit with the cars, and I think Max is probably the only one that can step out there and be as aggressive as he’s being right now with his comments.

Kevin Harvick said in the recent episode of his podcast.

It’s a position, the Fox Sports NASCAR broadcaster has found himself in once in the past. It is hard for the driver, who is seen as one of the leaders in the garage, to fight the sanctioning body. But making these moves and playing politics is part of all the racing series in the world, especially the F1 world championship.

I’ve been in this position where you feel like you’re the driver leading the charge for the rest of the group that can step out of the box and push the sanctioning body to do things they might not wanna do because the drivers want it to be a certain way. I believe there are some politics here of him threatening to leave to try to get the cars so that the drivers enjoy racing them.

Kevin Harvick added via SPEED with Harvick and Buxton.

Further talking about Max Verstappen, the ex-RCR driver Kevin Harvick highlighted how the veteran racer is in a place in his life where he can walk away without thinking twice. He no longer has to worry about money and that gives him an advantage in the push to amend the current F1 car regulations.

I think if he doesn’t get his way, he doesn’t need money; he doesn’t need to go out and race for money anymore. When you get to that point, you make the decision of I either do this because I love it, or I don’t do it at all. He’s gonna push and if it doesn’t get changed, I think he’s out.

Kevin Harvick asserted.

Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on Hall of Fame nomination

While Max Verstappen is having a nightmare in 2026, Kevin Harvick is having the time of his life while in retirement. He is set to receive one of the biggest NASCAR honors as he was nominated to the Hall of Fame. The veteran was in tears after getting the nod and highlighted how is cherishing the new chapter of his career as a broadcaster.

I would say that one probably brought a tear to my eye. You put so much effort into everything you do with your craft. You wanna be the best at it, and to be able to have the success — that was my job for 23 years and now, I sit here on this side of the camera being able to talk about the sport that I love. You put your whole life into something, and to be able to reap the rewards of all the effort you put into it is pretty special.

Kevin Harvick said.

The comments from the veteran are on point and shows how much he values a Hall of Fame inductions. Unless something wild happens, Kevin Harvick will be voted into the HOF and will be part of NASCAR legacy forever.

Also Read: Kyle Petty Settles Controversial NASCAR Hall of Fame Debate with Wild ‘Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not Hof Worthy’ Analogy

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