Is Max Verstappen finally fed up with Formula 1? Retirement on the horizon?

The four-time F1 Champion has been vocal about his dislike of the current regulations. To his credit, he raised the red flag long before the new rules were even introduced, but all his concerns were dismissed.

But as it turned out, Verstappen, a pure racer, was right, and the new regulations have been a disaster despite all the spin-doctoring by Stefano Domenicali and Liberty Media.

The race in Japan, where Oliver Bearman crashed heavily while trying to overtake the harvesting Alpine of Franco Colapinto, raised a safety concern regarding the new regulations.

Back to Verstappen, the current woes of Red Bull's RB22 are not helping, as he was knocked out of Q2 in qualifying while he managed to finish the race in eighth, unable to pass Pierre Gasly in an Alpine.

He admitted he is considering his future and said: “I'm thinking about everything inside this paddock. 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 it: is it worth it?” he mused.

Verstappen has always insisted that remaining in F1 was not just about winning but about fun, which basically negates all the voices who say he is unhappy because he is not currently winning.

The Dutchman has been finding solace driving race cars in other categories, basically GT cars, and will take part in the 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring in May. He has always expressed interest in WEC.

On F1's current state of affairs, he said: "It's a bit sad to be honest that we're even talking about this. It is what it is.

"You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'll be ​fine," Verstappen concluded.

And he is right; we will not need to worry about him. Max has enough money, has won four F1 Titles, and has proven his worth. Wherever he goes, to any racing category, they will receive him with open arms for the generational talent that he is.

What doesn't make sense is how Formula One Management seems to be pushing such a driver away by taking his concerns so lightly. (Source: BBC Radio 5)