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Max Verstappen absent from crucial Red Bull event after candidly addressing retirement

Max Verstappen has been replaced by Red Bull for the team's crucial tests following the Japanese Grand Prix after the four-time world champion sparked retirement fears

[SUZUKA, JAPAN - MARCH 29: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on March 29, 2026 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)]

Max Verstappen is absent from Red Bull's latest tests(Image: Mark Thompson, Getty Images)

Max Verstappen has missed Red Bull's test session after the Japanese Grand Prix. The 28-year-old finished eighth in the third race of the campaign at Suzuka, again unable to achieve a podium finish this season.

Verstappen is in ninth place in the Drivers' Championship following three races, with the four-time world champion struggling to get to grips with the new regulations and car. Testing started on Tuesday and continues on Wednesday at Suzuka, just days after the Japanese Grand Prix wrapped up.

Red Bull will utilise the session to assess dry-weather tyres, though Verstappen is understood to have not taken part after returning to Monaco following Sunday's race. In his absence, Yuki Tsunoda climbs into the cockpit in place of the former champion.

[SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 14: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing walks in the paddock during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 14, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)]

Yuki Tsunoda has replaced Max Verstappen at Suzuka(Image: Kym Illman, Getty Images)

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Tsunoda was previously a team-mate of Verstappen at Red Bull before being dropped to a reserve and test driver in December last year, after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bull subsequently replaced Tsunoda with Isack Hadjar, who finished in 12th position at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Two practice sessions were planned at Suzuka before an extended break caused by the cancellation of both the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grand Prix.

Verstappen's future in F1 has become the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with the Red Bull driver hinting at what lies ahead. "I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock," Verstappen revealed in a chat with BBC Sport following the Japanese Grand Prix. "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?"

He continued: "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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