Red Bull ‘secretly’ hoped for Max Verstappen contract extension before he stopped ‘enjoying’ F1

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Max Verstappen has renewed his strong criticism of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations after crashing out of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday. Verstappen starts 20th on the grid at the beginning of F1’s new era.

Speaking during winter testing, the four-time world champion likened the new cars to ‘Formula E on steroids’ given the unnatural techniques required to manage electrical energy. And in an interview this week, Verstappen said the 2026 rules were too complicated for fans to understand.

F1 pundit Marc Priestley suspects Red Bull’s new engine technology contributed to Verstappen’s crash in qualifying. The rear axle locked as he attacked turn one, spearing the car off the road and into the barriers.

What Max Verstappen said about 2026 F1 after Australian Grand Prix qualifying

As reported by Dutch journalist Erik van Haren on X, Verstappen described himself as ‘completely drained’ just two days into the new season.

Isack Hadjar qualified an excellent P3 on the debut for Red Bull’s power unit, but that offered little solace to his teammate.

What can F1 do to regain Max Verstappen’s approval?

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He has previously explained that enjoyment levels would dictate his future in the sport, rather than his team’s competitiveness. F1 has become almost 50% electric this year and Verstappen fears it has compromised the purity of the racing.

“I’m not enjoying it at all, emotionally and feeling-wise, I’m completely drained,” Verstappen, who became a father last year, said. “This has very little to do with racing.”

Red Bull’s hopes of new Max Verstappen deal may now be dashed

De Telegraaf had reported on Friday that Red Bull management were ‘secretly’ hoping they could convince Verstappen to sign a new contract. His current deal runs until the end of 2028, but they want to extend it ‘for a few more years’.

However, Verstappen’s comments in the past few weeks, perhaps most of all his post-qualifying remarks, may well scupper those plans. At this stage, he’s struggling to summon the motivation to see out his existing deal.

• READ MORE: Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull when his contract expires is now ‘more likely than ever’

There’s no indication as yet that he would walk away from the sport early. His loyalty to the team may dissuade him from derailing their plans.

Red Bull are increasingly optimistic that Verstappen will ‘never drive for another team’ in F1. The much-talked-about move to Mercedes may not happen, but it certainly wouldn’t feel like a victory for Laurent Mekies if his superstar driver quit the sport for good.