Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula One again and sets potential exit date
Max Verstappen has issued a fresh threat to quit Formula One over changes to its format.
The Dutch-Belgian driver made the comments as proposed changes to the sprint format were approved for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Under the changes, a new standalone qualifying session on Saturday morning will now determine the starting order for the sprint race that afternoon, with qualifying on Friday setting the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The additional qualifying session on Saturday will be called the ‘Sprint Shootout’ and is shorter than the usual format. The three sessions will last for 12, 10 and eight minutes.
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In a statement, the F1 read: “The F1 commission voted unanimously in favour of changes to the sprint format. These will now come into effect at the first sprint event of the season.
“Following this successful vote and subsequent approval by the World Motor Sport Council, all stakeholders believe that this will boost the spectacle of sprint weekends and enhance track action for fans around the world.”
However, the change hasn’t gone down well with Verstappen - who has previously said he ‘won’t be around for long’ if there are ‘too many changes’ made to the F1’s format.
Speaking to reporters in Baku today, Verstappen doubled down on his earlier comments.
"If we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question yourself 'is it worth it?'," he said.
"I do like racing, I do like winning. I know that of course the salary and everything, you have a good life, but is it actually a good life? I think sometimes you get to a point in your career where maybe you want to do other stuff.
"I know that I have a contract until the end of 2028, and then we'll review again. But I do feel that if it's getting at one point too much, then it's time for a change."
Verstappen has previously bemoaned any proposed changes saying it they go too far then he won't be sticking around.
"I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long," he said previously.
"I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races.
"I understand they want to make every day exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only qualify and race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.
"We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that."
Claire Reid