Max Verstappen 'two-finger' decision putting F1 at 'enormous' crisis risk

Damon Hill believes Max Verstappen is putting the sport at risk of "enormous problems" should he decide to leave F1 at the end of the year.

Verstappen has hinted that he could walk away from the sport at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign due to him not enjoying the new power unit regulations. 

The four-time champion has been left frustrated by the demands on energy management, resulting in significant lift-and-coast and qualifying laps not being flat out. 

Changes are set to be introduced by the FIA from this weekend's Miami Grand Prix to combat the pressing issues with the new regulations, which could improve Verstappen's attitude toward the cars.

Verstappen has been the loudest critic against the 50/50 power unit split between electrical energy and internal combustion, largely leading to his hints about retiring. 

What has at least kept the Dutchman positive is racing GT3 cars at the Nordschleife, something Hill insists former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone made near-impossible.

Speaking on The Undercut podcast, 1996 F1 champion Hill said: "If Max were to say — this is now into the hypothetical kind of game-playing of it all — ‘Listen, I’ve had enough. I’m off. Gianpiero’s left, everyone I was with at Red Bull has left, and I’m done with these cars. I’m going to go do whatever,’ this was always the massive fear with Bernie [Ecclestone]. 

"That’s why he made it...he sort of strangled all the other rival formulas because he didn’t want the competition. There was nowhere else to go. But now there is: there are Le Mans classes, IndyCar, whatever. 

"He could do something radical and scarper, at least for a bit. And then that presents enormous problems for the marketing of F1, doesn’t it?"

Should Verstappen leave F1, it would be a major blow to the championship, and in Hill's opinion, probably its share price.  

"Let’s say the biggest name, or the most in-demand talent, decides ‘two fingers’ to F1 — that would not go down well with the share price," added Hill.