Max Verstappen will not be present for Red Bull’s testing at Suzuka following the Japanese Grand Prix having spoken out candidly after his future over the weekend
16:01, 30 Mar 2026Updated 10:15, 01 Apr 2026
Max Verstappen will not be in testing for Red Bull this week(Image: Simon Galloway/LAT Images)
Max Verstappen is sitting out of Red Bull’s upcoming test session following the Japanese Grand Prix. The 28-year-old finished eighth in the third race of the season at Suzuka, once again failing to secure a podium finish this campaign.
Verstappen has made it clear he’s unhappy with his and Red Bull’s start to the season and has even hinted at a potential early retirement due to his frustrations with the new regulations. He currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship after three races, with the four-time world champion yet to claim a single victory.
Testing will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at Suzuka, just days after the Japanese Grand Prix concluded. Red Bull will use the session to evaluate dry-weather tyres. However, Verstappen won’t be participating after heading back to Monaco following Sunday’s race.
There had been reports that the Dutchman was being replaced for the test, but he was never due to take part in it. Isack Hadjar, who finished in 12th place at the Japanese Grand Prix, will be driving the Red Bull during the sessions, though.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen has specific window to trigger significant Red Bull exit clauseREAD MORE: George Russell warned he’s angered Mercedes bosses after Kimi Antonelli wins Japanese GP
Two practice sessions have been scheduled at Suzuka ahead of a lengthy break caused by the cancellation of both the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grand Prixs. Verstappen’s future in F1, meanwhile, has been the focus of widespread speculation over recent weeks, with the Red Bull driver dropping a clue about what lies ahead.
“I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock,” Verstappen said in an interview with BBC Sport after the Japanese Grand Prix. “Privately, I’m very happy.
“You also wait for 24 races. This time it’s 22. But normally 24.
Isack Hadjar will be driving for Red Bull during the test(Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
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“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 added: “I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am. Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before.
“I’ve not only been winning in F1. But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver. 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. 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.”
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