Verstappen threatens to quit: 'Million others who want his place'

Martin Brundle is not in favour of the new sprint race format, like Max Verstappen. However, the Brit does not see why Verstappen would take this as an opportunity to quit Formula 1.

Formula 1 plans to experiment with a new sprint race format this season. F1 itself has not yet confirmed this, but experiments with the new format are reportedly underway in Azerbaijan, which would involve separate qualifying sessions, one for the sprint race and one for the race on Sunday. This means there would be two qualifying sessions and two races in one weekend, leaving only one practice session.

Will Verstappen really quit?

Helmut Marko is strongly in favour of the new proposal, but his star driver is not. Verstappen revealed that he questions all of F1's plans. The Red Bull driver has a contract until 2028 and is sitting it out. However, the Dutchman does openly express that he does not know whether he will continue after that, and these rule changes could play a big part in this.

Brundle agrees with the Dutchman's criticism and does not understand why F1 continues to fiddle with the existing format. At Sky Sports, Brundle wonders what effect a sprint race will have in a weekend when it will not even determine the grid for Sunday's race. The Sky Sports analyst agrees with Verstappen's words, but does not understand why that would be a reason to quit.

''I would be surprised, but if he doesn't want to drive it, there are a million other people who would want to drive that Red Bull,'' the Brit says. ''I think what he is trying to say is 'don't mess around too much'. I get his point on that, but I don't really see why that would make him stop.'', the former F1 driver concludes.