Nigel Mansell rules out Max Verstappen retiring as he outlines what F1 must change to regulations

Follow us on Google Discover

Nigel Mansell does not think Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will retire from F1 at the end of 2026, but Formula 1 must change the current energy harvesting requirements.

Verstappen has raised serious doubts over his future in F1 beyond the end of this season, as the four-time champion hates the new engine regulations introduced this year. He has taken a real issue with the greater role that the battery plays and how drivers must regen energy.

The 28-year-old detests that drivers are now needing to lift and coast much earlier down the straights to recover energy, which they must also then save through the corners to use along the straights. So, amid Red Bull also struggling, Verstappen has threatened to retire from F1.

Verstappen has claimed he must “figure out” his future in F1, and that he also has to decide whether it is “worth it” to stay on the grid beyond the end of this year. While his contract at Red Bull goes through 2028, the Dutchman is very likely to be able to use his release clause.

Jos Verstappen doubts Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull because of Gianpiero Lambiase’s departure like he vowed in 2021 – Who do you think should replace GP?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Nigel Mansell does not think Max Verstappen will retire, but F1 must change the energy harvesting

Verstappen will have from August to October to trigger his release clause if he is outside the top two in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break. The 71-time Grand Prix winner is currently only ninth in the championship and sits 51 points shy of second after three rounds.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen’s biggest penalties in Formula 1

But while Verstappen might be threatening to retire from F1, Mansell expects the Dutchman to be on the grid in 2027. Although Mansell does also think that Verstappen and the likes of Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso are right to share the issues with F1’s engine regulations.

“No,” Mansell told Sky Sports News (14/04, 12:36) about Verstappen possibly retiring. “No, no, no. Max is voicing his opinion. He’s a class act. He’s an incredible world champion. What he’s done the last five years is astonishing. He almost won the championship last year.

“He is quite rightly voicing how he feels. Perhaps he’s been a bit too strong with it. But Lando and a lot of other drivers, and if you speak to Oliver Bearman, what happened to him in Japan, [the rules] just need to be tweaked.

“All this harvesting, going into fast corners and slowing down 50 to 70 kilometres an hour, that’s not Formula 1. Formula 1 is the drivers showing their talents and being able to drive the car, and not having drivers, Alonso was very funny [saying], ‘My chef can drive the car’.”

Mansell is referring to Alonso saying Aston Martin’s chef could drive his car in Bahrain’s Turn 12 during pre-season testing in February. Alonso highlighted how he was only doing 124mph through the fast right-hand kink at the end of the second sector, yet did 161mph last season.

Similarly, F1 fans claimed “this isn’t F1” after seeing Verstappen lose 31mph through 130R at Suzuka during practice at the Japanese Grand Prix in March. While 130R is not the fearsome left-hand kink that it was in Mansell’s era, the new engine regulations removed its challenge.