Six-time F1 grand prix winner Riccardo Patrese has predicted Max Verstappen will walk away from the sport at the end of the current season.
Verstappen has voiced his dissatisfaction with the new cars across the opening rounds of the campaign.
His distaste for the new set of regulations has gone as far as him suggesting that they could hasten his exit from the grid.
Verstappen's camp was hit with a further setback earlier this month when Red Bull confirmed the exit of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who is set to depart in 2028 for McLaren.
Patrese believes the Briton's switch to a rival team will be the final nail in the coffin for Verstappen and has backed him to exit the sport at the end of 2026.
“If Lambiase is leaving, it means that Max is also leaving Red Bull next year,” Patrese told BettingLounge.
“He is not feeling very happy. So, at the end of this season he will probably make his move.
“Max, first of all, has to enjoy driving these cars. But it is obvious he doesn't like it at all.
“He’s a strong enough person that you believe him when he says, ‘If I don't have enjoyment, I'll leave Formula 1.’
“He has already got satisfaction and achieved so much in the sport. He has proved that he's the best.”
Ahead of next weekend's Miami Grand Prix, the FIA confirmed a series of changes to the cars amid the early-season complaints.
Patrese has stated that the countermeasures will be crucial to Verstappen's decision over his F1 future
“If F1 changes and he has a good feeling again, then he will go on,” he said.
“Otherwise, he may well change category. He really likes GT races.
“But at the end of it all, I think he is just talking. But he does need a winning car, that's for sure. He is fed up, that is for sure.”
Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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