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Max Verstappen confirms he's considering F1 retirement after nightmare Japan GP

Max Verstappen has confirmed he is considering retirement following an update from the four-time world champion after he endured another frustrating Japanese Grand Prix

[Max Verstappen]

Max Verstappen is considering retirement

Max Verstappen is reportedly seriously considering retirement after he endured another frustrating Grand Prix weekend.

The four-time world champion came home in P8 in the Japanese Grand Prix after qualifying 11th on Saturday. Verstappen has just 12 points to his name after three race weekends, including the Sprint in China, 60 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.

Verstappen has been incredibly vocal about his criticism of the new 2026 regulations and suggested he may look to quit the sport in the coming years, even before Red Bulls sizeable gap to the top of the grid was realised.

[Max Verstappen]

Max Verstappen's frustrations continued at Suzuka

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According to Dutch publication De Telegraf, the next few weeks without any Grand Prix action will be crucial for Verstappen to consider his options and future in the sport.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Verstappen confirmed he will be taking time to assess his options. "That's what I'm saying. I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock. 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?"

Verstappen continued to stress that his issues with the new 2026 cars are due to their driveability rather than Red Bull being far behind the competitiveness of frontrunners Mercedes.

"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am," he said. "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."

Verstappens frustration at being overtaken by Pierre Gasly for P7 during the Grand Prix was obvious as he waved at the overtaking Alpine.

He said: "All of a sudden, Im going fifty kilometres slower here. I was counting down the laps. Fifteen to go, ten to go, five more, come on. Yeah, thats it.

I was already stuck behind him (Gasly) in China. In China I was stuck behind a lot of cars. You just cant make a proper overtake. Yes, you can overtake, but then youve got no battery left for the next part. I try to laugh about it, because being frustrated all the time doesnt help either.

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