F1 LIVE | Bearman crash sparks major safety concerns as Verstappen plots F1 exit

Verstappen has cast fresh doubt over his long-term future in Formula 1, admitting a key decision is looming as he takes time to reflect in the coming weeks.

After Saturday’s qualifying, the Dutchman revealed he had plenty on his mind, and speaking again post-race, he confirmed his focus is firmly on what lies ahead. He made it clear this is about his career direction, with the upcoming period set to play a decisive role in shaping his next move.

According to journalist Chiel van Koldenhoven, Verstappen’s tone did little to ease concerns, as he openly acknowledged that life extends beyond Formula 1 and that alternative paths remain very much on the table. Among those possibilities, he expressed interest in competing in the qualifying races for the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.

At the same time, Verstappen pointed to the April break as a crucial window for discussions over potential regulation changes ahead of Miami. He underlined the scale of the issues currently affecting the cars, stressing the need for improvements to make them more driveable, while describing the race as largely mirroring qualifying, with minimal opportunities to make progress through the field.

Oliver Bearman’s heavy crash at Suzuka has sparked fresh concern across the grid, after a dramatic speed differential on the straight - caused by Franco Colapinto suddenly running out of battery - led to a major incident.

Reflecting on the episode, Kimi Antonelli admitted he didn’t have a clear view of what happened, but suggested there may have been an assertive move involved. He also pointed out that the FIA is already working on potential solutions ahead of Miami, describing the situation as particularly complex to manage.

Leclerc, meanwhile, stressed that drivers now need to adapt their racing approach, especially when dealing with super clipping and sudden speed swings that can create dangerous scenarios. While he believes the racing can still be enjoyable, he called for tweaks to qualifying and highlighted the importance of awareness when defending, adding that experience will naturally help improve the situation over time.

Piastri echoed similar concerns, noting that incidents like this are an inherent risk under the current regulations, as drivers continue to learn how to handle such extreme speed differences. He also pointed out that the crash occurred in an unusual part of the track, making it even harder to anticipate, and admitted that similar situations may continue to happen during this learning phase.