Max Verstappen says he will quit F1 and won’t come back if one thing happens in 2026

Max Verstappen has a contract that runs until the end of 2028, but the four-time world champion is willing to walk away from the sport at a moment’s notice under one condition

Max Verstappen will consider walking away from Formula One in 2026 if the new technical regulations fail to produce “fun” racing. The Dutchman is contracted with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 campaign, but could call time on his deal early under the right conditions.

Verstappen’s future has been a topic of debate throughout the 2025 season, although the speculation has largely been centred around whether or not he would be racing in Mercedes ’ overalls next year, rather than those of long-time employer Red Bull.

Toto Wolff was unable to lure the Dutchman to Brackley for the 2026 campaign, but after Verstappen’s most recent revelation, he might not get the chance to sign the 28-year-old for 2027 either.

“My contract runs until 2028, but it will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun,” Verstappen declared to PA ahead of the penultimate race of the season in Qatar. “If they are not fun, then I don’t really see myself hanging around.

“Winning seven titles is not on my mind. I know that there are three more years after this one, so it could be possible, but it is not something I need to do before I leave the sport. I can leave the sport easily tomorrow.

“I have a lot of other passions; other racing categories, I want to spend more time with the family, and live off my own schedule. And in my mind, I know if I close the chapter, it is closed. I don’t see myself stopping and coming back. Once I stop, I really stop.”

Verstappen has expressed interest in competing in the Nurburgring 24 Hours race next year after obtaining the required DMSB Permit A on his NLS debut earlier this year, and the Dutchman’s sports car racing ambitions don’t stop there.

“Le Mans, I definitely would like to do,” he confirmed last year. “I’ve been there already when my dad used to race, and the atmosphere is amazing. It’s endurance, so many people, driving through the night, sunrise – I think it’s really cool.”

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Verstappen has even contacted two-time world champion and good friend Fernando Alonso about the idea of teaming up for a tilt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “I’ve been speaking to Fernando about it,” he explained. “He said he would only want to do it with me again. That would be really cool.

“The only thing is that for Le Mans, there is not really a minimum weight for the driver. I’m quite a heavy driver, so I need to find light team-mates to compensate. Fernando is quite light, so it would be quite good, but then we need to find another one – I need to have a look!”