Max Verstappen’s F1 rivals have always known the truth about retirement threats

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Max Verstappen has been threatening to leave Formula 1 over the 2026 regulation changes, but his rivals know that he will not actually retire.

The Dutchman has been open about his dislike of the regulations, referring to them as ‘Formula E on steroids’ before the season. His criticism has only grown stronger as he drives the new cars.

The Red Bull driver is not a fan of the 50/50 split of electrical power and internal combustion in the engine. It has led him to explore other interests, with Verstappen saying GT racing is ‘2,000’ times better than F1 right now.

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Esteban Ocon does not think Max Verstappen will retire in 2026

People think Verstappen is being strategic with his retirement threats. They think he is trying to get the FIA to rewrite the regulations, and it is starting to work, with the 50/50 engine split set to become 60/40 in favour of the ICE in 2027.

However, Verstappen’s camp say he is serious about his claims that he will retire, and should he do so, he will not return. But his rivals do not think that he will actually walk away from the sport.

Esteban Ocon is adamant that Verstappen will not retire, as the governing body is starting to listen to the drivers’ criticism.

Asked by Automoto.It what he would do with the regulations, the Haas driver replied: “A naturally aspirated, non-turbocharged engine – a V8 or V10. I think V8s have been the best engines in F1.

“Probably with a larger displacement – not 2.4, but 3.5 or 4 litres – to reach 900 CV. And then I’d add 100–150 CV with the hybrid system. It would be an engine with more character.

“If the regulations were like that, everyone would go mad. It would be fantastic, for us drivers too. Not just for the sound, but also for the driving dynamics. I’m convinced that F1 will move in that direction in the future.

Amid the concerns around Verstappen, Ocon said: “He won’t leave,” says Ocon with great confidence. “Clearly, if we were to lose such a successful driver because of the technical regulations, it would be a problem. But that won’t happen. They’re listening to us, and we’re moving in the right direction.”

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Verstappen’s rivals are clear that he will not walk away from F1 in 2026. Lando Norris told The Guardian that the Dutchman will stay in F1 longer than some people think.

The McLaren driver said: “Hopefully things get better and I just saw that he said he wants to win the fifth world championship at the minute, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say.

“It would be a shame for the sport, it would be a miss for the sport if that does happen because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula One ever.”