Whatever could go wrong for Max Verstappen, has gone wrong. After two disappointing races to start the 2026 Formula 1 season, things went from bad to worse at the Japanese Grand Prix where the four-time world champion, finished 8th, ending his four consecutive wining streak at Suzuka. Amid Red Bull’s ongoing performance issues under the new regulations, the questions are growing, not just about performance, but about his future. With Verstappen openly valuing time away from the sport, this rough start is fueling fresh retirement talk.
A Weekend to Forget at Suzuka For Max Verstappen
Verstappen’s troubles began in the Japanese Grand Prix 2026 qualifying, where he failed to make it into Q3 and was knocked out in Q2, ending his streak of four-pole at Suzuka. Starting from P11, fans hoped for a comeback, but the race told a different story.
Tried everything to push into the points 👊#F1 || #JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/IJmdZwyIuK
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 29, 2026
Despite managing the car as best as he could, Verstappen could only finish eighth. “Yesterday was a disaster, today I just maximised my race but the feeling in the car is exactly the same as qualifying,” he told Sky Sports. “I was just trying to hang on to it.”
The struggles aren’t new. Verstappen finished P6 in Australia after starting P16 and retired in Shanghai after 45 laps. Three races in, and there’s still no sign of real improvement from Red Bull.
“Try and find more pace and just a more stable balance,” he said. “Because this is not sustainable for us… we need to work hard to understand our problems and bring improvements.”
Max Verstappen’s Retirement Talk
What’s really catching attention, though, are Verstappen’s comments off the track. The Dutch driver has previously hinted at wanting a quieter life away from Formula 1 and after Suzuka, those thoughts seem to be resurfacing. “And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?,” he said when asked about his future.
Speaking to the BBC, he added, “I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock… When you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver.”
