Jos Verstappen delivers 'bleak' F1 future update for son Max

Jos Verstappen has conceded that he sees the F1 future for his son Max as “bleak” following a painful start to the 2026 season.

The four-time F1 champion has been vocal about his lack of enjoyment with the new machinery, with lap times heavily dependent on how a driver harvests and deploys energy from the battery.

Verstappen has also faced a setback in the pecking order this year and has been unable to compete with front-runners Mercedes.

As a result, Jos Verstappen has suggested his son is starting to lose his motivation for the sport.

"You hear then that it's a matter of getting used to it, but I'm sure Max is not going to get any enjoyment out of it this way,” Verstappen senior told De Telegraaf.

“Of course, he always tries to make the best of it, that's a separate issue. He and Red Bull are doing everything they can to become more competitive.

"But racing in these cars doesn't challenge him. To be honest, I do worry that Max is losing his motivation. He used to think racing in an F1 car was the greatest thing there was. 

“But now I see it pretty bleak. I would like to say it wasn't, but I do see this becoming a problem with regard to his future."

Verstappen Sr 'went back to sleep'

The new regulations have been criticised by numerous F1 drivers, but some have been less pessimistic - including Lewis Hamilton, who stated the sport is “much more fun” in 2026.

But like his son Max, Jos Verstappen is not impressed by the new rules.

"Of course, I follow Max closely, and we have a lot of contact,” he said. “But then, when I watch those sessions and hear where they have to get off the gas, it's hard to get excited about that.

"Two weeks ago, I got up at night for free practice in China, but turned off the television after 15 minutes and continued sleeping. 

“I had never done that before when it comes to Formula 1. That might also say something."