Despite Max Verstappen’s Threats to Quit After Recent Format Changes, F1 Boss Refuses to Intervene to Curb His Freedom

Formula 1 is evolving rapidly to not just stay a sport, but also become a business. Every business thrives by making profits, and profits are made primarily through audiences and engagement. Although some decisions F1 has taken from a business standpoint to make it the spectacle it is have been received negatively at times. Especially reigning world champion Max Verstappen has shown his discontent, so much so that he has threatened to quit the sport.

F1 introduced sprint races in 2021 to make weekends more entertaining. In 2021 and 2022, the sprint races counted as qualifying sessions for the main race. But this season, F1 with the FIA introduced a sprint weekend format to accommodate two races that are independent of each other—the sprint and the main race. And this format change acted as a catalyst for Verstappen’s threats, despite the format being agreed upon by team principals and drivers. Though can Verstappen’s choices affect F1?

Max Verstappen’s future isn’t a cause for concern for Domenicali

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was featured in the latest episode of F1’s podcast – Beyond The Grid. During the conversation, he was asked if Max Verstappen’s negative opinions about certain decisions made by F1 make him difficult to manage and are his choices a cause for concern. Domenicali replied by saying that the opinions don’t concern him at all. In fact, he’s welcoming of them. He believes it is essential for drivers to show their personality through their opinions, and F1 would be wrong to restrict them.

Every driver is entitled to their opinion, and so is Max. But Domenicali stressed, “If there is something for the benefit of the sport, and Max [Verstappen] doesn’t like it, I will try to explain, and if he understands, I’ll be very proud and happy. If he doesn’t agree, fair enough, it’s okay. That’s part of the game.” The sprint format, all said and done, benefits F1. So whether or not Verstappen likes it, it is here to stay. And if the Dutchman decides to retire early, the sport will continue regardless.

Domenicali is confident that Max Verstappen’s decision regarding his future won’t affect F1. While it is essential to consider every driver’s interests, Domenicali believes that “at the end of the day, for certain decisions, we [F1] have the duty to take the responsibility we have in the bigger picture,” and the bigger picture is sustaining F1 as a “business”.  

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Verstappen’s retirement seems a long way from now, considering his rich vein of form. Although, this impeccable run is causing some headaches at Red Bull in a good way. 

Christian Horner has Some Luxury Problems because of Max Verstappen

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner isn’t a fan of empty cabinets. And the rate at which Max Verstappen and Red Bull are winning races, at least two trophies are added after every race weekend to their cabinets at the Milton Keynes establishment. At this point, Horner’s superstition of not having empty cabinets is causing headaches because the cabinets are filling quicker than they’re built. But Verstappen doesn’t look like he’s going to slow down.

He’ll be looking to give Red Bull its 100th win at the Canadian GP this weekend. Given the nature of the track with its long straights and Red Bull’s mighty straight-line speed, Verstappen has a chance to make easy work of the race. 

WATCH THIS STORY | Will Max Verstappen Retire Early from F1?

Is there a possibility that the two-time world champion will retire prematurely? He’s already stated that he’s done everything he wanted to in this sport, so he wouldn’t mind if Red Bull suddenly isn’t competitive at all (which seems unlikely for now). But with the rate at which the sport is changing to make it more entertaining, will Verstappen hang up his racing boots even before 2028?