Max Verstappen leaving Formula 1 in 2027 could expose Liberty Media’s biggest mistake

Follow us on Google Discover

With the impending threat of Max Verstappen possibly leaving Formula 1, Liberty Media could suffer the consequences of their own complacency.

While Verstappen was positive on the new regulation change for 2027 heading into the weekend, he took a far more aggressive stance on the matter as the weekend went on.

After reports emerged that some teams were not in favour of approving the regulation change next year, Verstappen again threatened to retire from Formula 1.

Does Max Verstappen need to make up his mind?

He has once again threatened to quit F1 if the rules aren't changed for 2027

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

There is no denying that losing a star as big as Max Verstappen would be a massive blow for the sport, as he is one of the biggest names in Formula 1 today, if not the biggest name outright.

But the four-time world champion’s exit from the sport would also expose Liberty Media’s failure in creating stars who could take Verstappen’s place, if not compensate for his absence with their own starpower.

READ MORE: ‘Sources close’ to Max Verstappen say Martin Brundle is wrong about his retirement threats

Liberty Media has failed to build a big star since Max Verstappen

By the time Liberty Media completed the purchase of Formula 1 as an entity, Max Verstappen was set to enter his third season in Formula 1, and was considered as the next big star in the sport.

And Verstappen lived up to the hype around him, as just four years later, he would begin one of the most dominant runs in Formula 1, winning four consecutive drivers’ world championships.

What is interesting about his rise to superstardom is that it coincided with the seeming decline of Lewis Hamilton as the leading figure in Formula 1.

Prior to Verstappen, not only was Hamilton the sport’s most dominant figure, he was also its biggest name by a considerable margin.

And by defeating Hamilton, Verstappen showed the world that he was the heir apparent, the next face of the sport.

If Verstappen were to leave in 2027, is there a figure in Formula 1 that fans would be comfortable anointing as the next face of the sport?

READ MORE: Max Verstappen tried to get Lewis Hamilton penalised in unheard Canadian Grand Prix radio

Has the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen changed for good?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

The numbers are in – and it doesn’t look good for Liberty Media

While Verstappen’s financial impact on Red Bull and Formula 1 as a whole has been evident these last few years, other metrics show just how important he is to the sport. Just taking a look at YouTube numbers as one metric, this disparity becomes clear.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen dominate viewership across the Formula 1 and Sky Sports F1 YouTube channels, amassing an impressive 41 million and 29 million views within the first week, on videos where they’re mentioned or in the thumbnail since 2020.

Compare this with some of their contemporaries, and the gap in drawing power becomes evident. Drivers like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc bring in an estimated 8-12 million views on YouTube within the first week of the video being uploaded.

In fact, what is even more telling about Liberty Media’s inability to create new stars is the fact that Daniel Ricciardo, who hasn’t been active in Formula 1 regularly for a few years, still manages to attract more viewership online compared to some active drivers on the grid.

There is a clear gap between Hamilton and Verstappen as the two biggest names in the sport, compared to some other prominent figures within the sport.

Not to mention, the lack of significant media presence and emphasis made towards the stars of tomorrow has completely stalled this process of creating a new star in Formula 1.

The emergence of Kimi Antonelli as the next prodigious talent in Formula 1 has been a huge boost for Liberty Media, as they have found the heir apparent to the likes of Verstappen, Norris, and even Hamilton.

But it was Antonelli’s brilliance to start the season that brought him to this level, not a push from high-ranking officials within Liberty Media to try and find their next big star.

Liberty Media must look to Formula 1’s future to avoid future disaster

Even if Max Verstappen chooses not to retire from Formula 1 next season, the possibility of him leaving and the complications that arise from that is something that Liberty Media must keep in mind going forward.

As the current generation of Formula 1 stars are in or near the end of their apex in this sport, the emphasis should be on building multiple stars from the younger generation to take their place once they walk away.

Even with the special talent Kimi Antonelli has shown since arriving in Formula 1, he cannot be the only figure the sport attempts to build going forward.

Future stars like Oliver Bearman, Arvid Lindblad, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar must be given the proper resources and opportunities to show why they can be the next big stars in Formula 1.