Max Verstappen has made it clear that he is not rushing any decision about his long‑term future in Formula 1. The Dutch champion, who has hinted at the possibility of stepping away from the sport, told reporters that he is still weighing his options and will move at his own pace. The comments came after the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March, where Verstappen suggested that the new technical regulations introduced for the 2026 season were contributing to a sense of frustration.
Red Bull’s performance had slipped at the start of the year, and the champion’s remarks sparked speculation that he might be considering retirement or a move away from the team. Since then, Verstappen has emphasized that there is "nothing new" to add to the story. He explained that his focus has been on other projects, notably a test run on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The driver is using the experience to prepare for a 24‑hour endurance race scheduled for May, showing that his interests extend beyond the traditional F1 calendar.
"I still have time and I'm taking my time," he said ahead of the Miami Grand Prix weekend. When Sky Italy asked whether a sudden surge in Red Bull’s performance would influence his decision, Verstappen replied that the team was currently a little further behind the pace they set 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 priority is to stay where he can be most competitive.
"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 came with as well," he explained. He hopes that Red Bull can climb out of the midfield battle and return to the front of the grid.
At the time of the interview, Verstappen sat ninth in the Drivers’ Championship and had failed to finish in the top five in any of the opening three races. He made it clear that his biggest frustration was not the performance of the Red Bull car per se, but the regulatory environment that has limited the team’s ability to extract maximum speed.
The FIA has recently tweaked the power‑unit rules for the remainder of the season in an effort to encourage more "flat‑out" driving. Adjustments include tighter limits on energy harvesting and deployment, aimed at reducing the amount of "super‑clipping" – the practice of braking on a straight to recharge the battery – and curbing 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 adjustments, Verstappen described the new rules as merely a "tickle" – a small, almost negligible nudge rather than the sweeping overhaul the sport needs to restore pure, high‑speed racing. "I just hope for next year we can make really big changes," he said, expressing optimism that the dialogue with the FIA could lead to more substantial reforms. He praised recent meetings between Formula 1, the FIA, and the drivers, calling them a promising starting point for future collaboration. "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," Verstappen explained.
He acknowledged the complexity and politics of the sport, noting that while the recent tweaks are a step forward, they are insufficient to "change the world." Nevertheless, he believes that the increased communication between drivers and the governing bodies marks a significant cultural shift. In the five‑week break since the last race, another development added a layer of intrigue to Verstappen’s future.
His long‑time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, announced that 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 has previously stated that he would consider leaving the sport if he lost that partnership. When asked whether Lambiase’s departure influences his own plans, Verstappen insisted it does not.
"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," he said. He added that Red Bull as a team is always looking ahead, focusing on innovation and continuous improvement. Verstappen also half‑joked that trying to keep Lambiase would be "an idiot" move, given the lucrative offer the 45‑year‑old engineer received from McLaren.
He acknowledged 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. And 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 explained. The upcoming Miami weekend will feature a sprint format as the 2026 season resumes.
The schedule includes practice sessions, qualifying, and the sprint race, culminating in the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1 or stream via NOW, with no long‑term contract required.
Overall, Verstappen’s message is one of patience and measured contemplation. He acknowledges the current challenges posed by the regulatory changes, remains hopeful about future technical breakthroughs, and emphasizes the importance of strong relationships within the team. While the possibility of retirement or a team change remains a topic of speculation, the Dutch champion has repeatedly underscored that he still has plenty of time to decide his next steps, and that his immediate focus is on extracting the best performance possible from the Red Bull car in the remaining races of the season.