Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his issues over F1’s rising calendar, which can peak at 24 races next year and contain almost 200,000 miles of air journey regardless of modest efforts to cut back its footprint.
A double-header in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will kick off F1’s report season, adopted by 4 particular person flyaway occasions in Australia, Japan, China and Miami in addition to two triple-headers later within the 12 months.
On prime of that F1 has added as much as six dash races per season, which provides additional pressure on the crew personnel.
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In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen says F1’s unrelenting thirst for development is usually making him contemplate “whether or not it’s all value it” to remain concerned.
“I am frightened concerning the sport I’ve at all times loved,” stated Verstappen, whose 2028 Purple Bull F1 deal may probably be his final. “I nonetheless do, however solely to a sure extent.
“It isn’t that I am completely in opposition to change, like some folks declare. However these adjustments need to be profit System 1.
“Why do you need to change issues after they’re going properly? I feel a conventional qualifying session is a superb format, it does not all need to revolve round cash.
“Folks may assume, ‘Effectively, he makes some huge cash, what’s that man complaining about?’ However it’s about your wellbeing, the way you expertise issues and never how a lot you make.
“I really feel like I’ve to do an excessive amount of and skip different issues [I enjoy doing], so I generally assume, ‘Continues to be value it?'”
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB19
Picture by: Erik Junius
Verstappen says his criticism of the human value F1 is taking does not simply revolve across the variety of races, but in addition all the additional off-track actions that include the job, saying he loses a “month per 12 months” to Purple Bull’s in depth advertising and marketing actions.
“[Travel] is not the largest downside. It is extra about all the additional stuff I’ve to do,” he defined.
“Thursdays on a race weekend could be very lengthy relying on the place we’re and out of doors the grands prix there’s quite a lot of simulator work.
“For instance, I lose over a month per 12 months to advertising and marketing. At a sure second you simply do not feel like doing all that anymore.”
When requested if he may stroll away from F1 earlier than his present 2028 deal ends if Purple Bull misses out with 2026’s new regulation cycle, the Dutchman replied: “Issues must be actually dangerous for that to occur.
“I do not count on the crew to fall again that a lot with all the nice folks now we have. However on this sport it is at all times potential you are not that aggressive.
“It is dependent upon what the prospects are, however yeah, I do not see myself touring within the midfield for 3 years. Then I would slightly keep at residence or go do one thing else. However once more, I do not count on that to occur.”