Verstappen threatens F1 with a nightmare by not ruling out a boycott

It doesn’t seem like an unthinkable scenario. A week after Max Verstappen stated that it is better to race elsewhere if countries in the vicinity are at war, the Red Bull Racing driver refused to say that he will not boycott the races should they remain on the calendar as he told GPblog and others.

Verstappen address Formula One Management, which has kept the F1 world in suspense for weeks over whether or not to cancel the final two races of the season. While other championships have long since called off their events in the region, FOM continues to insist that ‘at this moment’ the Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead.

The fact that FOM isn’t pulling the plug on the races can be explained by the enormous financial interests. As soon as Formula 1 announces it won’t be coming, the sport stands to forfeit many tens of millions in fees from Qatar and Abu Dhabi. If the organisers cancel, then payment may still be due. As a result, all parties involved are holding each other in an iron grip.

In Malaysia as well, where the Bahrain Grand Prix is being held this weekend, drivers were asked about their stance on the whole debate: to go or not to go? Armed with lessons from media training, they repeatedly kept things vague, emphasising that they have full confidence in FOM’s decision. Only Verstappen left some room for speculation.

With a young family at home in Monaco, the last thing Verstappen wants is to be stuck in the Middle East should fighting flare up during the race weekends. Or worse, that Formula 1, his team, or even he himself becomes a target. Outwardly Verstappen may not say so, but he has undoubtedly made his views on the matter clear internally to FOM CEO Stefano Domenicali. The Italian would be wise to take such concerns very seriously.

If the Grands Prix go ahead but without Max Verstappen on the grid, that would cause enormous reputational damage. Try explaining that to Qatar and Abu Dhabi after they have put down tens of millions, only to not have one of the star attractions in their midst. In short, yet another headache for Domenicali.