Mohammed ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), addressed the possibility of Max Verstappen retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the current season during the Miami Grand Prix. The Dutch driver has expressed dissatisfaction with the current regulations, but Ben Sulayem stated that while the sport would miss him, it would survive his departure.
“If he leaves, we will miss him, but the sport will continue. Many stars and teams come and go. But Formula 1 will always continue. The FIA will always continue,” Ben Sulayem said.
The FIA president also revealed that he had a “positive” conversation with the Red Bull driver, telling the four-time champion that he admires his driving style and mental approach. Ben Sulayem noted that Verstappen made his feelings clear during the interaction, but questioned: “But is what he says what he really wants to do? I don’t think so, I really don’t.”
Verstappen’s considerations of an early F1 retirement are not new. Previously, he had indicated any decision would come after his current Red Bull contract expires in 2028. However, complaints about the current regulations have led him to consider leaving as early as
