Verstappen says he may quit F1 without power unit changes

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has issued a stark warning about his future in the sport, stating that significant changes to the 2026 power unit regulations are required for him to continue racing beyond this season. The Red Bull driver’s comments came during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal, where he finished third on the podium but expressed deep frustration with the current technical direction of the championship.

Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the new hybrid power units, which feature a roughly 50-50 split between internal combustion and electric power. He argues the system forces excessive energy management, making it impossible to drive flat-out and creating what he calls an “anti-driving, anti-racing” experience, particularly in qualifying. “I know how pure other motor sports can feel like,” Verstappen told Sky Sports, referencing his recent participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. “So then when you come back to this, it’s just not very nice.”

His frustration extends to a public dispute with former driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who suggested on a podcast that Formula 1 should penalize drivers who criticize the regulations. Verstappen...