Max Verstappen addresses F1 quit possibility: 'I seriously considered it'

Max Verstappen has stated he “seriously considered” walking away from F1 at the end of the 2026 campaign.

The four-time champion's future was in doubt earlier this year as he voiced serious concerns over the new cars introduced this season, which have also received complaints from various drivers across the grid.

Red Bull also suffered a slip in the pecking order, with the Milton Keynes-based squad the only team inside the top four of the standings yet to win a grand prix.

Verstappen was non-committal over his future before opting to pen an extension with Red Bull in August, keeping him at the team until the end of the 2030 season.

When asked how close he came to walking away from F1, Verstappen told BILD: “Well, either you quit or you don't – so it's a 50/50 decision!

“I seriously considered quitting. But ultimately, I love racing. I don't have anything left to prove; 

“I'm a four-time world champion and achieved everything I ever wanted after my first title. I don't race for the history books, but for myself, the team, and our fans. 

“That's why it was ultimately an easy decision.”

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Verstappen still enjoying F1 despite struggles

Red Bull has endured a challenging campaign, with Verstappen enduring his longest winless run since 2017.

The team has also been hit with a series of senior personnel exits in recent years, however Verstappen has been quick to downplay the impact of such departures.

Despite his concerns with the current set of regulations and the team's spot in the pecking order, Verstappen insists he is still enjoying F1.

“Yes. It would obviously be even more fun if I won every weekend, but the car just isn't capable of that right now,” he said.

“That's okay, because we're on the right track and we're a good team. 

“A lot of people have come and gone in recent months and years, so a few things needed to be readjusted, but now we've gelled as a unit. 

“Everyone believes that we'll get back to the top. We're all giving it our all to achieve that goal – and it's a lot of fun.”