The Red Bull driver openly expressed his discontent again on Sunday after finishing eighth in the Japanese Grand Prix, which was won by Mercedes’ 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli.
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“Privately I’m very happy,” Verstappen told the BBC after the race. “You also expect 24 races. This time it’s 22. But usually 24. And then you think: is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being at home with my family more? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?”
Verstappen, 28, said “That’s what I’m saying” when asked by the BBC if this could be his last season.
“I want to be here to have fun, have a good time and have fun. At the moment, that’s not the case,” he said. “Of course I enjoy certain aspects. I enjoy working with my team. It’s like a second family. But once I sit in the car, unfortunately it’s not the most fun. I’m trying. I keep telling myself every day that I should try to enjoy it. It’s very difficult.”
Verstappen is among the drivers struggling after one of the biggest regulation changes in F1 this season.
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“I can easily accept being in 7th or 8th place where I am,” he said. “Because I also know that you can’t dominate or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic about that and I’ve been there before. I haven’t just won in F1.
“But at the same time, when you’re in P7 or P8 and you don’t enjoy the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural for a racing driver,” he said.
“Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at some point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do.”
Formula 1 is now taking a five-week break with races scheduled for April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia canceled due to the war in Iran.
The next race is May 3 in Miami.
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AP Auto Racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing