Max Verstappen openly flirted with retirement during the recent Japanese GP. With an eye on the new F1 regulations in 2026, the Dutchman has regularly expressed criticism about the state of the sport; the focus on energy management and artificial overtaking holds little appeal for him. Former driver Eddie Irvine is not pleased with Verstappen’s statements. Furthermore, he believes that the four-time world champion does not play a key role within the sport.
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After a seventh-place finish in Suzuka – marking Red Bull’s worst start to a season in over ten years – Verstappen once again took aim at the regulations. He also hinted that he is considering retiring after this season. After the test days, he already dubbed the new rules ‘Formula E on steroids’, but in Japan, he went a step further. “I think about everything that happens in this paddock,” he said in a candid conversation with the BBC. “Privately I am very happy, but that also makes you wonder: ‘Are 24 races a year worth it?’” At Viaplay, he summarized his feelings: “It has to remain fun.”
‘Max has 50 million reasons to stay’
Former driver Eddie Irvine, who narrowly missed out on the title with Ferrari in 1999, is also critical of the current regulations. At the same time, he emphasizes that a potential departure of Verstappen would not be as much of a blow as the media suggests. “I don’t like the regulations at all,” Irvine said in a conversation with Gazzetta dello Sport. “There certainly need to be changes, because it cannot be that the battery percentage is all-decisive. Don’t get me wrong, I love electric cars – I have four – but there is no point in making Formula 1 environmentally friendly. And besides, these cars are also dangerous.”
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Irvine referred to Oliver Bearman’s crash in Suzuka. “He was going much faster than Franco Colapinto and had to swerve,” he explained. “It reminded me of the incident in which Hitoshi Ogawa lost his life in Japanese F3000. Fortunately, the cars did not hit each other this time.” Regarding Verstappen’s possible departure, he was firm: “Formula 1 doesn’t need Max, there are plenty of talented drivers,” Irvine said sharply. “Of course, it’s difficult for him to compete in the midfield. But given his salary, there are more than 50 million good reasons to stay,” he concluded with a wink.
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