Martin Brundle has drawn a contrast between Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher after the Red Bull driver publicly expressed doubt over his F1 future.
Verstappen could walk away from F1 at the end of 2026 as he questions whether it’s ‘worth’ continuing. The four-time world champion is no longer enjoying driving after the regulation changes this winter.
Brundle gave his reaction to Verstappen’s explosive comments on the latest episode of the F1 Show. He says the saga is already getting ‘boring’, but thinks the driver himself would agree.
While Brundle acknowledges that it would be a big miss for F1 if he took his ‘extraordinary’ talent elsewhere, he has questioned Verstappen’s handling of the issue.
Schumacher, another of F1’s all-time greats, would apparently have aired such grievances in private. Only if he felt he wasn’t being listened to in those conversations would he go to the media.
Verstappen has been extremely critical of the new regulations since pre-season testing. In fact, he first raised concerns in a press conference back in 2023.
Nobody’s indispensable in this sport,” he said. “I’ve seen a number of amazing people come through, and the sport carries on [without them].
“This goes for any of us. The minute we stop, people will be talking about who’s doing the job next. There are any number of Antonellis, Bearmans, Lindblads out there who would do the job incredibly well for 1% of the money.
“The sport will just move on if Max decides to go, but he’s doing quite a lot of damage meanwhile. But we all appreciate that’s how Max rocks and rolls.
“I’d be surprised if he’d really walk away from it. It’s great to be at the Nurburgring. Do I think he’d just walk away from F1? No I don’t, provided he can get a car that pleases him.