Verstappen considering F1 retirement at season's end

Max Verstappen revealed Sunday that he's considering retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2026 season.

The 28-year-old Red Bull driver said he's "not enjoying the whole formula" after finishing eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix, another disappointing race for the four-time world champion.

"I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock," Verstappen said, according to Andrew Benson and Jennie Gow of BBC. "Privately, I'm very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it's 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about, is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"

Verstappen has repeatedly voiced his frustration with F1's new engine rules this season.

It's been a rough start to the season for Red Bull and Verstappen, who finished sixth in Australia and retired from the race in China.

"I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am," Verstappen said. "Because I also know that you can't be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I'm very realistic in that and I've been there before. I've not only been winning in F1."

He added that F1's recent changes don't "feel natural" to him.

"Of course, I try to adapt to it, but it's not nice the way you have to race. It's really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it's just not what I want to do," Verstappen said.

"And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day, it's not about money anymore because this has always been my passion."

Verstappen is third on F1's all-time list with 71 race wins, behind only Lewis Hamilton (105) and Michael Schumacher (91).

Other drivers - including reigning champion Lando Norris - have also strongly criticized the changes across chassis and power unit in F1 cars this year.