Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Verstappen says he would quit F1 if he stopped seeing himself as the best
Max Verstappen says he would leave Formula 1 if he stopped believing he was the best driver on the grid.
The Dutchman is a four-time world champion, but has not won the title since 2024.
He said he had believed he could become the best since his debut with Toro Rosso at age 17 in 2015.
Red Bull’s new power units, built with Ford, have struggled for pace this season, though Verstappen has won races as the team improved.
At the São Paulo Grand Prix, he started 21st and finished second behind Lando Norris.
He is now second in the drivers’ standings, 17 points ahead of George Russell, with three races left to hold on to the position.
Red Bull is also trying to keep McLaren behind it in the constructors’ standings as the season continues.
Max Verstappen says he would leave Formula 1 if he stopped believing he was the best driver in the field.
The four-time world champion said he still considers himself the top driver when asked before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
He said he had believed he had the potential to be the best since his 2015 debut, although he knew he still had much to learn.
Verstappen started 21st at the Sao Paulo race after an engine penalty and finished second behind Lando Norris.
He is second in the standings, 17 points ahead of George Russell, with three races left.
- Who
- Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion.
- What
- He said he would stop racing in Formula 1 if he no longer believed he was the best driver in the field.
- When
- Before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix; the article was published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- At a media session before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
- Why
- He said he would quit if he stopped seeing himself as the best.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso at age 17.
Verstappen last won the drivers’ championship.
Verstappen won the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was moved to Sepang after the Sakhir race was cancelled.
Verstappen said he would stop if he no longer believed he was the best driver.
Starting 21st after an engine penalty, Verstappen finished second behind Norris.
- Championship titles
- Four
- Formula 1 debut
- 2015, with Toro Rosso, at age 17
- Sao Paulo starting position
- 21st, after an engine penalty
- Sao Paulo finishing position
- Second, behind Lando Norris
- Championship standing
- Second, 17 points ahead of George Russell, with three races left
What people are saying
I always think so,
Otherwise, I'd stop!
But I already had it in my head that I had the potential to be the best, yes.
beating the sim on a regular basis