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FIA president delivers blunt Verstappen verdict: F1 will survive without him
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has indicated that F1 may not necessarily need Max Verstappen, who has been expressing dissatisfaction with the new regulation changes this season. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has voiced concerns that the new cars are less enjoyable to drive due to their emphasis on electrical energy, likening the series to Mario Kart. Despite being only 28 and under contract until 2028, reports suggest he is contemplating retirement. His recent performance at the Miami Grand Prix, where he finished fifth after a strong qualifying session, showed a more positive outlook. While Ben Sulayem acknowledged that the sport would miss Verstappen, he also stated that F1 will carry on regardless of individual stars coming and going. Verstappen’s remarkable achievements and records in F1 make him a significant figure in the sport, and his potential early retirement would leave a notable gap to fill, especially with other veterans like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton nearing the end of their careers.
