Hill on Verstappen criticism on sprint format: 'Then quit F1 now'

Damon Hill has said that if Max Verstappen criticises the new sprint format, the Dutchman might as well quit Formula 1 immediately. In Sky Sports F1' s podcast, Hill responds to Verstappen's criticism, although he can understand the Dutchman's comments.

After it was announced that Formula 1 wants to shake up the format around the sprint races, Verstappen was critical of the plans. The reigning world champion claimed that the DNA of the sport would be affected in this way. He also made it clear that changes like this will make him think a bit longer before renewing his contract. Verstappen's current contract expires in 2028. So he might quit then if he can no longer agree with the state of Formula 1.

"Then he should stop now, really," Hill responded to Verstappen's comment. "Stop now, he’s done it." Hill's co-presenter Jess McFadyen then suggests that Verstappen is continuing because he is enjoying himself in Formula 1, but Hill questions that. "Is he having fun? Sometimes I think he’s not having fun. You have to love what you’re doing, otherwise it’s a grind."

Hill does understand Verstappen's criticism

Nevertheless, Hill can understand Verstappen's point of view. "I think there's an element of this with Max with him not wanting to waste his time on superfluous things that really have just been invented for novelty reasons," Hill analyses. "I think he's that kind of person so I can imagine him just saying it because he just thinks 'I've come here to win Grands Prix, I just want one race to mean something, I don't want to have a half value race.' What's the point of that on your CV? Oh you won a sprint, people are not going to 'how many sprints have you won?'. The ranking of number of sprints people have won are not worthless because they clearly hold points, but you're not going put that on your wall."