Where Max Verstappen stands on F1 rules 'tickle', his future and key ally’s exit

Max Verstappen says he is “taking my time” before making a decision about his Formula 1 future.

Four-time world champion Verstappen dropped the massive bombshell after the Japanese Grand Prix that he was considering whether to stay in F1 amid his dissatisfaction with the new engine regulations introduced this year.

Verstappen has repeatedly aired his frustrations with the much-maligned 2026 rules and suggested that he would use the enforced five-week break in April to think about his future.

Speaking on his return to the F1 paddock ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the 28-year-old Dutchman said he had no update to provide.

“Nothing new on that side. Also in those weeks I’ve been busy on other things. I still have time and I’m taking my time,” the Red Bull driver stressed.

During the unplanned gap in the calendar, F1 revealed a raft of tweaks in a bid to improve the rules and address some of the driver’s biggest concerns.

While praising it as a positive step in the right direction, Verstappen feels the changes don’t go far enough.

“The positive thing about it, we had some nice meetings with FOM and the FIA and I think that’s probably a starting point for the future,” he said.

“Even in a few years time when maybe I’m not here anymore, I really hope for the future drivers as well, that there’s more input from the drivers to the organisers in general, because I do think most of the drivers here have a good feeling and understanding of what is needed to make F1 a good product and a fun product. I think that’s already a huge step forward in terms of the communication.

“With the changes that are made, I think it’s more like a tickle, because at the end of the day it’s a very complex and political sport. I think everyone has tried their best to do something, but of course it won’t change the world.”

Verstappen added: “It’s not what we need yet to really make it flat-out. But like I said, it’s complicated to get everyone to agree. I just hope for next year we can make really big changes.”

Verstappen will race on without GP

Between the Japanese and Miami grands prix, the impending departure of Verstappen’s long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase was also confirmed.

Lambiase will leave Red Bull to become McLaren’s chief racing officer by 2028 at the latest.

Verstappen insisted any decision he makes on his F1 future will not be affected by the exit of his close ally.

“GP and I we have a very honest and open relationship. That was all good and I said already back then, I wish him all the best,” he explained.

“For me there was no hard feelings on that. As a team, of course we look to the future. You always want to innovate and improve and that’s what we are doing right now.”

When asked how Lambiase's decision impacts his own F1 future, Verstappen simply responded: “It has nothing to do with it.”

Verstappen, who previously indicated he would only work with Lambiase, appeared relatively unfazed about the prospect of working with a new race engineer at Red Bull.

“I will have to work with someone else,” he added. “I think also times change and the offer he got, I would be an idiot to try and keep him.

“It’s not only about me all the time. It’s also about his career and moving forward. For me, it was a no-brainer. About the future, that’s what we’re looking at now, with a different race engineer. I’m sure we’ll find solutions for that as well.”