Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said he’s considering his future in Formula One after another disappointing race this season.
The Dutchman was eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday as he and his Red Bull team have struggled under the new regulations that came into force this year.
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Such regulations have been sharply criticized by Verstappen, who said he’s not having fun in the sport anymore.
“Privately I’m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?,” he told the BBC.
The F1 calendar had to be shortened as the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, originally to take place this month, were cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Verstappen said his dissatisfaction was not to do with Red Bull’s lack of competitiveness so far, but mostly with the degree of energy management required of the new engines, which need to be recharged several times a lap.
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“Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do,” he said.
“And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day it’s not about money any more because this has always been my passion.”
Verstappen won four consecutive titles from 2021-24. Last year, he missed out on the trophy by just two points to Lando Norris.
This season so far, he finished sixth in Australia and retired from the previous race in China.