Max Verstappen has made it clear that he is not rushing any decision about his long‑term place in Formula 1. The Dutch champion, who hinted at the possibility of stepping away from the sport after the Japanese Grand Prix in March, says he is still weighing his options and will take the time he needs before reaching a conclusion. The speculation began when Verstappen, fresh from a disappointing start to the 2026 season, expressed frustration with the new technical regulations that have left Red Bull trailing its rivals.
He suggested that the changes, rather than the team's performance, were a major source of his discontent. Yet, in the lead‑up to the Miami Grand Prix, the three‑time world champion emphasized that there is "nothing new" to report and that his focus remains on other priorities, such as preparing for an upcoming 24‑hour endurance race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. "I still have time and I'm taking my time," Verstappen told reporters before the Florida event.
When asked by Sky Italy whether a sudden surge in Red Bull's competitiveness would sway his decision, he replied that the team is currently a bit further behind the pace they enjoyed last year. "The rest, I mean, also for myself, I don't know at the moment. What I said in Japan is still the same, but I also still have a lot of time," he added.
Verstappen stressed that his primary goal is simply to stay on the grid and help Red Bull develop the car. "I just want to be here. The team has worked really hard to bring updates to the car, so we first have to wait and see what they will do, because I have no idea, of course, what other teams have brought as well," he said. He hopes the team can break out of the midfield battle and climb back toward the front of the pack.
At present, Verstappen sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship and has failed to finish in the top five in any of the opening three races. While his personal performance remains strong, the new rule package—intended to promote more "flat‑out" driving by limiting energy harvesting and deployment—has been a point of contention.
The FIA's adjustments aim to reduce the practice of "super‑clipping," where drivers deliberately slow on a straight to recharge the battery, and to curb excessive lifting and coasting. These changes were also prompted by Oliver Bearman's dramatic crash in Japan, which highlighted safety concerns around the boost modes.
Despite the FIA's efforts, Verstappen described the modifications as merely a "tickle"—a minor tweak that does not address the core issue of making the sport more aggressive and exciting. "I just hope for next year we can make really big changes," he said, noting that recent meetings with the FIA and Formula 1 leadership have opened a dialogue that could serve as a foundation for future reforms.
Looking further ahead, Verstappen expressed a desire for greater driver input into the sport's direction. "Even in a few years' time, when maybe I'm not here anymore, I really hope that for the future drivers as well, there's more input to come from the drivers to the organisers in general because I do think that most of the drivers here, we have a good understanding and a good feel of what is needed to make Formula 1 a good product, a fun product," he explained.
He praised the improved communication as a "huge step forward," while acknowledging that Formula 1 remains a complex and political arena where incremental changes may not revolutionise the whole picture. During the five‑week break since the last race, another development added intrigue to Verstappen's future plans.
His long‑time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, announced he will leave Red Bull to join McLaren in 2028. Lambiase has been Verstappen's sole permanent engineer since they first teamed up in 2016, and the driver once declared that he would consider retiring if he lost that partnership. However, Verstappen clarified that Lambiase's move does not influence his own career decisions.
"We have a very honest and open relationship, so that was all good. I wish him all the best and for me there was no hard feelings on that," Verstappen said. He admitted that finding a new engineer with the same chemistry will be challenging.
"The general understanding that we have with each other, and the chemistry works really well. That's very rare in racing. You don't see that often that a driver and engineer, they gel that well together.
That's something that I'll have to try and find again. It's not that easy but sometimes, of course, that happens," he remarked, half‑joking that it would be "an idiot" to try and keep Lambiase after McLaren's offer.
Beyond the technical and personnel issues, Verstappen's schedule remains packed. He is set to compete in the Miami Sprint weekend, which includes practice sessions, qualifying, and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. The event also features a full slate of Formula 2 support races, with practice, sprint, and feature races spread across the three days.
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, Verstappen's stance is one of cautious patience.
He acknowledges the frustrations brought by the new regulations and the team's current performance gap, but he also recognises the hard work being put into car development and the importance of driver‑team relationships. While the future remains uncertain, his message is clear: he will not rush a decision, will continue to compete, and hopes that the sport evolves in a way that restores the pure, high‑speed excitement that defines Formula 1.