Will Max Verstappen RETIRE from F1 this year?
About this episode
Matt and Tommy dig into whether Max Verstappen could retire from F1 at the end of this year after his unusually blunt comments following Japan. They argue he sounds genuinely serious, tied to family life and a growing dislike of the 2026-era racing format—especially the battery/energy management and how the cars force different driving habits. They debate whether he’s using retirement as leverage for regulation changes (they doubt it) and whether a competitive Red Bull would change his mind. The hosts also discuss broader driver frustration and what F1 might need to do to keep stars like Verstappen engaged.
With Max making some alarming statements about how he's not interested in racing these F1 cars, we try to answer some questions about his potential retirement. Is it a power play to force a regulation change? Would he still feel the same if he was fighting at the front? And what would F1 look like without Max Verstappen?
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Toyota Grand Highlander
"Dear crew, it's Toyota. With an adult-sized third row, everyone's welcome in the Grand Highlander."
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a bigger Toyota SUV with three rows of seats. The ad is saying the back seats are actually comfortable enough for adults, not just kids.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger three-row SUV built to carry more passengers than a typical two-row crossover. The “adult-sized third row” is a key selling point because many third rows are cramped for adults.
Sienna
"Seen back in the Sienna with an available rear seat entertainment system."
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan. Here they’re pointing out that it can come with screens or entertainment for people sitting in the back.
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan, and in this segment it’s referenced as having an available rear seat entertainment system. Minivans like the Sienna are designed for family use, with features aimed at keeping passengers comfortable on longer trips.
rear seat entertainment system
"Seen back in the Sienna with an available rear seat entertainment system."
This is the setup that lets passengers in the back watch movies or listen to audio. It’s meant to make long drives easier for kids and other passengers.
A rear seat entertainment system is a factory option that provides video/audio for passengers in the back seats, usually via screens and media inputs. It’s common in family-focused vehicles to reduce boredom on road trips.
Toyota RAV4
"Slip into the RAV4 with available all-wheel drive, and let's go."
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV. They’re saying you can get it with all-wheel drive, which helps the car grip better when roads are slippery.
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact SUV, and this segment highlights an available all-wheel drive configuration. All-wheel drive can improve traction in rain, snow, or uneven surfaces compared with front-wheel drive alone.
Japanese Grand Prix
"From Formula One at the end of this year, lots of quotes, lots of things that he said after the Japanese Grand Prix."
The Japanese Grand Prix is one of the races in the Formula One season. The hosts mention what Verstappen said after that race as part of why they’re discussing his future.
The Japanese Grand Prix is a Formula One race held at Japan’s premier F1 circuit(s) on the F1 calendar. The segment references comments Verstappen made after this race, using it as a recent context point for the retirement speculation.
Formula One
"There's many reasons, but he's obviously not enjoying Formula One at all. And yeah, after Japan, he did a quite insane interview to BBC,"
Formula One is the highest level of international auto racing. Drivers race specialized cars on tracks around the world, competing for a championship.
Formula One (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel motorsport, run as a global championship with teams and drivers competing on race weekends. It’s known for highly regulated technical rules, rapid car development, and driver skill under extreme performance demands.
Alonso
"When you have the legends like Hamilton and Alonso getting towards the end of their career as well, could well leave Formula One in a very interesting state when you lose big characters that, you know,"
Fernando Alonso is a veteran F1 driver known for long-term competitiveness and multiple championship eras. His career longevity is frequently cited when discussing how driver retirements could reshape the sport’s identity and storylines.
Hamilton
"When you have the legends like Hamilton and Alonso getting towards the end of their career as well, could well leave Formula One in a very interesting state when you lose big characters that, you know,"
Lewis Hamilton is one of F1’s most successful and recognizable drivers, and his late-career stage is often discussed in terms of how it affects the sport’s star power. When multiple top drivers approach retirement, it can change the competitive landscape and fan narratives.
Nürburgring
"It's because he loves motorsport, and he's done things at the Nürburgring, [317.9s] and we know that he has ideas and plans to do more endurance racing..."
The Nürburgring is a well-known race track in Germany. It’s famous for being challenging, and the hosts bring it up to show Max does more than just F1.
The Nürburgring is a famous motorsport venue in Germany, best known for the Nordschleife (the “Green Hell”). Mentioning it signals Verstappen’s broader motorsport involvement beyond F1, including track experiences that many drivers and teams value.
world championships
"He doesn't care that much about [379.2s] trying to get every record under the sun and win eight world championships..."
A world championship in F1 refers to winning the drivers’ title (and/or the team’s constructors’ title) based on points across the season. The hosts note that Verstappen may not be motivated by chasing every record and championship.
FIA
"Is Max potentially using this as a bargaining chip to try and force the FIA to change the regulations sooner?"
The FIA is the organization that makes and enforces the rules for motorsport, including Formula 1. If someone wants regulation changes, they’re usually asking the FIA to update the rulebook.
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) is the governing body that oversees Formula 1 and sets the sport’s rules and regulations. When the transcript mentions forcing the FIA to change regulations, it’s about rulemaking authority for the championship.
bargaining chip
"Is Max potentially using this as a bargaining chip to try and force the FIA to change the regulations sooner?"
A bargaining chip is something you use to get what you want. Here, it means whether Max’s potential retirement could pressure the sport to change the rules sooner.
A “bargaining chip” here means using a threat or leverage—like the possibility of a driver leaving—as pressure to influence negotiations or decisions. In F1 terms, it’s about whether a driver’s public stance can accelerate rule changes.
Mercedes
"even if Red Bull were in that mix fighting for wins with Ferrari and Mercedes and McLaren."
Mercedes is a top-tier F1 constructor known for strong engineering and frequent championship contention. In this segment, it’s referenced as another team Verstappen would rather be battling for wins against.
Ferrari
"even if Red Bull were in that mix fighting for wins with Ferrari and Mercedes and McLaren."
Ferrari is a famous F1 team. The host is saying Verstappen would likely be happier if Red Bull were competing for wins against teams like Ferrari.
Ferrari is one of F1’s most storied teams and a major benchmark for performance. The segment mentions Ferrari as part of the “mix” of teams Verstappen would prefer to be fighting against.
McLaren
"even if Red Bull were in that mix fighting for wins with Ferrari and Mercedes and McLaren."
McLaren is a well-known F1 team. The host is saying the “fun” factor would return if Red Bull were competing for wins with teams like McLaren.
McLaren is a historic and highly competitive F1 team. The hosts include McLaren in the list of teams Verstappen would prefer to be racing at the front against.
Formula 1
"god they've done it they've removed the battery and Audi is really upset you know that it's formula ... popular sport where all the money is and all the fame and all the fortune Max does not care about that at all"
Formula 1 is the highest level of open-wheel racing. Drivers race very advanced cars under strict rules, and how competitive the car is can make a huge difference to how much they enjoy it.
Formula 1 (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, run by the FIA, with teams racing highly regulated single-seat cars. The sport’s rules, car development, and competitiveness heavily influence driver satisfaction and retirement decisions.
wheel to wheel
"Hamilton was an interesting one in China saying I was absolutely loving loving Racing Wheel to Wheel with Charles you know brilliant to watch"
“Wheel to wheel” means two cars are racing side-by-side very closely. It usually makes the racing more exciting because it’s harder to pass.
“Wheel to wheel” describes close, side-by-side racing where cars are running near each other with minimal gap. It’s used here to praise the quality of racing and the driver’s enjoyment when battles are intense and fair.
wins
"I think if Max was having that fighting for podiums fighting for wins there would be a better feeling from Max"
“Wins” are the ultimate result in F1 and reflect both driver skill and the car’s ability to execute race pace, strategy, and tire management. The segment frames wins/podiums as the driver’s emotional driver for staying motivated.
podium
"I think if Max was having that fighting for podiums fighting for wins there would be a better feeling from Max"
A podium is when you finish in the top three. In F1, it’s a big deal because it means you were one of the fastest cars that weekend.
A podium in F1 means finishing in the top three positions (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). It’s a key benchmark for driver performance and team competitiveness, and it strongly affects how drivers view their season.
retirement
"not considering retirement at the as soon as the end of this year I would say."
“Retirement” means a driver deciding to stop racing in F1. In this conversation, it depends on whether they’re still having fun and getting good competition.
“Retirement” here refers to a driver stepping away from Formula 1 competition, typically at the end of a season. The discussion ties retirement timing to whether the driver feels the sport is still delivering the competitive battles they want.
sim racing
"we see it you know he he takes his sim racing and stuff just as serious as Formula 1 to the point where you know we were having this whole debate"
Sim racing is competitive driving using racing simulators, often with realistic physics, force feedback, and online competition. The segment notes that Max treats sim racing with the same seriousness as real F1, highlighting how drivers can stay sharp and motivated off-track.
team radio
"I didn't [1058.3s] necessarily think that means he likes it but no well just a team radio it's a positive [1064.2s] the anyway we're we're digressing"
Team radio is the in-race communication between the driver and the team. It’s how the team tells the driver what to do and how the driver reports what the car is doing.
Team radio is the live communication link between a driver and their pit wall during a race. Drivers often relay context like car behavior, traffic, and strategy needs, and engineers can issue instructions that directly affect race outcomes.
regulations
"i don't know whether these regulations have been a smart choice so far um it feels very money oriented in my opinion what we've seen so far in 2026"
They’re talking about the rulebook for Formula 1. New rules can change how fast cars are, how they race, and what teams can do.
F1 regulations are the rule set governing car design, performance, and race procedures. When the hosts question whether the 2026 rules are a “smart choice,” they’re evaluating how those rules impact racing quality and team strategy.
Dakar
"anyway because it opens up the options for him to do different things like i don't know like Dakar and endurance racing and loads of like cool fun things"
The Dakar Rally is a long-distance off-road endurance event, famous for extreme navigation and vehicle durability. Mentioning Dakar suggests Verstappen could pursue high-adventure, endurance-style motorsport after F1 rather than only traditional circuit racing.
Suzuka
"he drove a super gt car around uh was it suzuka i don't know which which track it was i think it was suzuka"
Suzuka Circuit is a well-known Japanese track, famous for its unique layout and high-speed sections. The hosts connect Verstappen’s Super GT driving to Suzuka, implying he’s raced on one of Japan’s most iconic circuits.
red bull
"i could just see him either staying with red bull or just yeah retiring and keeping the red bull ties and just sort of doing some other fun racing with red bull"
Red Bull is the Formula 1 team Max Verstappen drives for. They’ve supported him not just in F1, but also in other racing and gaming activities.
Red Bull Racing is Max Verstappen’s current Formula 1 team, and the team’s support is part of why he’s stayed so long. The hosts also connect Red Bull to his off-track activities, like sim racing and GT racing.
gt racing
"doing some other fun racing with red bull that goes over his car like he has in gt racing and things"
GT racing is a type of motorsport where cars are based on real, road-going models. The idea here is that Verstappen could still race in other categories even if he retired from F1.
GT racing refers to Grand Touring-style competition, typically featuring production-based cars in series like GT3/GT4. The hosts suggest Verstappen could keep doing this kind of racing if he stepped away from F1 for a while.
going around the outside
"...because he could make these daring moves and going around the outside of blanchamon..."
That means trying to pass someone by taking the wider line around the outside of a corner. It’s a bold move that only works if you can brake and turn in confidently.
“Going around the outside” describes an overtaking move where a driver attacks on the outside line into a corner. It’s often a high-skill maneuver that depends on grip, braking stability, and how the car behaves under the current rules.
daring moves
"...the reason i supported him in the first place was because he could make these daring moves..."
“Daring moves” refers to aggressive, high-risk overtakes that rely on confidence, tire grip, and the ability to exploit gaps. The speaker connects these moves to driver enjoyment and suggests current energy/power constraints reduce how often they can be attempted.
all-wheel drive
"slip into the rav 4 with available all-wheel drive and let's go"
All-wheel drive means the car can send power to multiple wheels. That can help it grip the road better when conditions are slippery.
All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to more than just the front or rear axle, improving traction in low-grip conditions like rain, snow, or loose surfaces. Many models offer AWD as an option depending on trim.
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