Verstappen is ready to leave if he doesn't like the regulations.

Verstappen is ready to leave if he doesn't like the regulations.

      Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing runs until the end of 2028. However, the four-time world champion's future remains uncertain. Ahead of the Qatar round, Max said he would end his career if he doesn't like the cars built under the new regulations that come into effect next season.

      Max Verstappen: "My contract runs until 2028, but my future beyond that depends on the new 2026 rules and how interesting they turn out to be. If driving the new cars isn't interesting, then I don't see myself racing.

      I don't have a goal of winning seven titles. Under my current contract I have three more years, so that outcome is possible, but I definitely won't be aiming to become a seven-time champion before I leave the sport. I could easily retire tomorrow.

      I also have other interests in life — other racing series, I want to spend more time with my family and live on my own schedule. And I understand that if I close this chapter, it will be closed for good. I don't see myself coming back after I leave. If I stop, I stop."

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Belgian GP director criticized for trip to Qatar. Belgian GP director criticized for trip to Qatar. Formula 1 | A new controversy in Belgian politics has unexpectedly brought the future of the grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps back into the spotlight. (…) F2: Stewards fined pole-sitter Göte After the Formula 2 qualifying in Qatar, the stewards penalized pole-sitter Oliver Goethe. "That truly took me by surprise." Dr. Helmut Marko has cast doubt on the unexpected decision to appoint Adrian Newey as Aston Martin's next team principal, while Fernando Alonso asserts that the renowned designer had already been acting as a de-facto leader behind the scenes. In an interview with Kleine Zeitung, Marko, a close former colleague of Newey at Red Bull, expressed his astonishment. "That truly took me by surprise," he remarked. "We'll have to see how that unfolds in practice." Marko cautioned that the new position entails greater involvement in race weekend operations and management—an area he believes is not Newey's strongest attribute. "That is certainly not his strength," he stated. "His major strengths lie in design, car setup, and the quality of production and development. It has greatly surprised me that he will now be transitioning more toward team management." In contrast, Alonso staunchly supported the decision, claiming that Newey had already been functioning as a leader. Speaking to AS newspaper in Qatar, he said, "He was already at the forefront of the technical development of the car and the team, pinpointing the necessary personnel and areas needing improvement. Internally, he was conducting a lot of management, while Andy was managing engine integration with the chassis." The Spaniard emphasized the importance of Newey's leadership given the team's rapid evolution. "This team is still quite young," he remarked. "We need guidance from leaders like Adrian. We have the two most successful figures in the history of the sport—Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell." According to Alonso, the new title merely formalizes what had already been occurring. "He was somewhat of a behind-the-scenes leader," he noted. "He would have been in charge of everything even without the official 'team principal' designation. With Cowell concentrating more on the engine, fuel, and Honda, everyone is effectively in their role." Alonso did express hope that Newey would still have adequate time to focus on his evident strength—design. "The role of team principal is different these days—media, sponsors, commitments," he said. "I hope Adrian won’t have to take on all those responsibilities and can focus on the crucial aspects." Christian Horner had been considered for the position before Newey's appointment, with reports suggesting that Newey even took his former Red Bull boss on a tour of the Silverstone factory last week. Ultimately, Lawrence Stroll did not extend an offer to him. "I don’t think we need any additional people in leadership," Alonso concluded. "But that’s not my responsibility." "That truly took me by surprise." Dr. Helmut Marko has cast doubt on the unexpected decision to appoint Adrian Newey as Aston Martin's next team principal, while Fernando Alonso asserts that the renowned designer had already been acting as a de-facto leader behind the scenes. In an interview with Kleine Zeitung, Marko, a close former colleague of Newey at Red Bull, expressed his astonishment. "That truly took me by surprise," he remarked. "We'll have to see how that unfolds in practice." Marko cautioned that the new position entails greater involvement in race weekend operations and management—an area he believes is not Newey's strongest attribute. "That is certainly not his strength," he stated. "His major strengths lie in design, car setup, and the quality of production and development. It has greatly surprised me that he will now be transitioning more toward team management." In contrast, Alonso staunchly supported the decision, claiming that Newey had already been functioning as a leader. Speaking to AS newspaper in Qatar, he said, "He was already at the forefront of the technical development of the car and the team, pinpointing the necessary personnel and areas needing improvement. Internally, he was conducting a lot of management, while Andy was managing engine integration with the chassis." The Spaniard emphasized the importance of Newey's leadership given the team's rapid evolution. "This team is still quite young," he remarked. "We need guidance from leaders like Adrian. We have the two most successful figures in the history of the sport—Adrian Newey and Andy Cowell." According to Alonso, the new title merely formalizes what had already been occurring. "He was somewhat of a behind-the-scenes leader," he noted. "He would have been in charge of everything even without the official 'team principal' designation. With Cowell concentrating more on the engine, fuel, and Honda, everyone is effectively in their role." Alonso did express hope that Newey would still have adequate time to focus on his evident strength—design. "The role of team principal is different these days—media, sponsors, commitments," he said. "I hope Adrian won’t have to take on all those responsibilities and can focus on the crucial aspects." Christian Horner had been considered for the position before Newey's appointment, with reports suggesting that Newey even took his former Red Bull boss on a tour of the Silverstone factory last week. Ultimately, Lawrence Stroll did not extend an offer to him. "I don’t think we need any additional people in leadership," Alonso concluded. "But that’s not my responsibility." Formula 1 | Isack Hadjar states that he has no delusions about what lies ahead if, as anticipated, he is elevated to Red Bull to partner with Max Verstappen for (…) Oliver Berman: For me, a perfect storm has formed. Oliver Berman: For me, a perfect storm has formed. For Haas, sprint qualifying in Qatar ended in the second session, in which Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon posted the 12th and 15th fastest times. The drivers do not expect to score points in the sprint and view the short Saturday race as preparation for qualifying. Racing Bulls has brought in the only new arrival. Racing Bulls has brought in the only new arrival. A Gurney flap has appeared on the front wing of the Racing Bulls cars, increasing downforce at a certain angle of attack... Leclerc: There was potential to qualify in the top five. Leclerc: There was potential to qualify in the top five. Charles Leclerc reached the final of sprint qualifying in Qatar, where he posted the ninth-best time. For his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, the session again went badly — the seven-time world champion was eliminated in the first session after posting the eighteenth-best time.

Verstappen is ready to leave if he doesn't like the regulations.

Before the Qatar round, Max Verstappen said he would retire if he didn't like the cars built to the new regulations that come into effect next season.