Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Football
Netball
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AM"Not a good look": Piastri's take on Max's F1 threat
SEN • April 24th, 2026 12:51 pm
Max Verstappen’s suggestion he could retire from Formula One because of just how much the rule changes have impacted the sport would “not be a good look”, according to Oscar Piastri.
Amid significant criticism of how much the sport has been altered – and in many opinions diminished - by the regulation changes brought in for 2026, the four-time world champion has been the most vocal of the drivers.
Likening F1 to Mario Kart, Verstappen has made no secret of the fact he would be happy to walk away from his Red Bull seat if things are not addressed.
"I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career as well," Piastri said.
"It would be a big loss for the sport as a whole.
"As drivers, we want to race against and try to prove ourselves against the best. Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years. Especially the last five or six, he's been the benchmark.
"So, I think for everyone, it would be a pretty big shame, and obviously not a great look."
The April races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has allowed time for the governing body to make some updates."
The April races scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has allowed time for the governing body to make some updates."
In their first attempt to “fix the issues”, drivers will be given the green light to go flat-out for longer during qualifying when racing resumes in Miami next month.
Despite releasing four sections of alterations, the truth is, very little will change.
When it comes to Max’s future in the sport, McLaren driver Lando Norris echoed his teammate’s sentiments.
"Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He's won four world championships. He's always been the guy," he said.
"So it will be a shame for the sport, it will be a loss for the sport if that does happen, because he probably is one of the best drivers you'll see in Formula 1 ever.
"And I think it'll be a shame for us, because as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he's always good fun to race against.”
