A tally of 71 career F1 victories places him third all time, behind Lewis Hamilton (105) and Michael Schumacher (91), but Verstappen finished eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix this past Sunday.
The four-time F1 World Champion from 2021 to 2024 with Red Bull lost his top spot in the sport when McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the title last season.
At 29, Verstappen has voiced his frustrations regarding recent technical changes to F1 cars, reiterating his discontent on Sunday, as reported by the BBC. The new F1 engines now feature an equal division between electrical power and fuel combustion.
Having been vocal about his criticisms of these changes, the Dutch driver was queried about the possibility of stepping away from his Red Bull contract, which extends through the 2028 season.
“That’s what I’m saying,” Verstappen noted after finishing sixth in the season opener in Australia, not finishing in China, and achieving his lowest position of the season on Sunday.
With the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia canceled due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the F1 calendar is set for a month-long break, returning on May 3 in Miami. It is widely anticipated that Verstappen will consider his future before racing resumes, although he plans to complete the season regardless of his choice.
“Privately I’m very happy,” Verstappen stated, as per the BBC. “You typically wait for 24 races. This year it’s 22. But usually, it’s 24. Then you reflect on whether it’s worth it or if you would prefer to spend more time at home with your family and friends when you’re not enjoying your sport.”
Beyond his race struggles, Verstappen also failed to progress from the second stage of pole qualifying on Saturday, where only the top 10 lap times advance to the third and final stage.
