Verstappen: F1’s Decision To Make Changes ‘Shouldn’t Just Be About Money’

Posted on August 20, 2023 | by Charley Williams Max Verstappen is often quite critical of exploratory options to improve F1, such as introducing sprint races in 2021, pretty much every format tweak ever since, and the increasing size of the calendar – which will sit at a huge 24 races in 2024.  Many people question what Max is complaining about, considering he’s well on his way to a third world championship in a row, but Verstappen defends his criticism of the sport he’s “always loved”. Quizzed by De Telegraaf on the current state of affairs in F1, he said: “I am concerned about the sport that I have always loved. And I still like it, but to a certain extent. It is also not that I am completely against changes, as it is sometimes claimed. “But they have to be changes that benefit F1. Why do you need to change certain things if things are running well? I think a traditional qualifying session is set up just fine in that form. It shouldn’t just be about money. “People may think: he earns lot of money, what is that guy complaining about? But it’s about well-being, how you experience things and not how much you earn. “I sometimes think I have to do too many things. Then sometimes I think: ‘Is this still worth it?'” Max is contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2028 but has always been quite open on his plans to eventually leave F1 to pursue other loves – such as sim racing and endurance competition. He is insistent that winning seven or eight titles isn’t something he’s interested in. If F1 keep making changes that in Verstappen’s eyes aren’t of benefit, could we see him walk away from the sport?