Max Verstappen Told to Pack His Bags by F1 Veteran After Recent Complaints as Formula 1 Stays Unaffected: “if He Wants to Go…”

“I’m not a fan of it at all,” said Max Verstappen regarding the sprint format during the race weekend in Australia. Since the introduction of sprint races in 2021, the World Champion has been its biggest critic. However, due to its commercial success, F1 decided to double the number of races to six, compared to only three in 2021 & 2022. But if they add any more of these, ‘I won’t be around for too long’ says world champion Verstappen.

Verstappen’s comments came across as a warning to the F1 bosses. Because losing Verstappen would mean losing F1’s biggest star. But Ralf Schumacher, who won six Grand Prix in his career, said, as quoted by Sky Sports, that it’ll not make any difference to the sport. “The past, the present and the future have shown or will show that Formula 1 is much bigger than any individual. Bernie Ecclestone is also gone and without him Formula 1 wouldn’t exist – and now it’s more successful than ever. So Verstappen should either pack up and leave or just accept it as it is.” he said. 

He further added, “I understand his attitude because there are a lot of risks [due to the increased number of sprints]. But still: he gets paid to do it. But again: if he wants to go, then he has to go. That’s what Formula 1 will become not perish, much as I love him.”

READ MORE: How Do Sprint Races Work at an F1 Grand Prix?

Even if the Dutchman is unhappy and wants to leave, his contract with Red Bull will not expire until 2028. But ‘I don’t see him being a Fernando Alonso‘, says Cristian Horner, discussing the Champ’s future in F1. 

Could Max Verstappen retire in his prime?

Verstappen has gone from ‘Will he win a World Championship’ to ‘How many World Championships will he win’ real quick. And with the 3rd World Championship looking like a certainty this season, we can say Max is currently in his prime. But the 2x World champion has been dropping subtle hints about his retirement for quite some time now – the recent one being in regards to the sprint race format. 

When Christian Horner was recently questioned about Max’s future in F1, he said: “His passion is just driving and racing, and while that burns within him, he is going to keep going. But how long that burns for? It’s each individual’s own journey.” He further added: “I don’t see him being a Fernando Alonso and still racing at 41 or 42 years of age, or maybe not in Formula 1.” 

So, it is clear that Max will continue to race in F1 until the passion is burning. But with Max being unhappy about ‘total culture change’ in F1 recently, we don’t know how long that burns! 

WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen: ‘Is my title tarnished? Not at all. I really deserved it’

How many World Championships will Max Verstappen win before he retires?