Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has revealed he's seriously considering quitting Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season due to his dissatisfaction with the sport's new regulations. The Dutch driver expressed his frustration after finishing eighth in the Japanese Grand Prix, where he made his strongest comments yet about potentially walking away from the sport.

Verstappen had already voiced concerns before the season about the biggest rule change in F1 history, which introduced new power units and chassis with a greater emphasis on electrical energy. His negative feelings have been compounded by Red Bull's struggles in the first three rounds of the championship. The 28-year-old dismissed suggestions that his doubts stem from Red Bull's lack of competitiveness, insisting he can accept finishing seventh or eighth.

Verstappen described the current racing format as "anti-driving" and said it's "not healthy" to continue competing without enjoyment. He emphasized that success in sports begins with actually enjoying what you're doing before committing 100 percent. Having already begun finding thrills elsewhere by competing in a GT3 race at Germany's Nurburgring, Verstappen questioned whether staying home with family and friends might be more fulfilling than continuing in a sport he no longer enjoys.