The Formula 1 paddock was once again shaken to its foundations this week by a striking statement by Jos Verstappen. The father of four-time world champion Max Verstappen spoke strongly about the current state of the sport in an exclusive conversation. “I can’t stand this anymore,” he said, his voice full of frustration. According to Jos, the dominance in Formula 1 has become deadly for the sport. The competition is too predictable, the tension is gone and he even threatens to leave the Formula 1 world if nothing changes.

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Jos Verstappen has always been known as a man who does not mince his words. As a former F1 driver and especially as the driving force behind Max’s career, he follows every race closely. This season, with the new regulations of 2026, his frustration seems to have reached a peak. While many teams and fans hoped that the major changes to the cars – with an emphasis on active aerodynamics, smaller cars and a larger share of electric energy – would provide more spectacle, Jos mainly sees chaos without real racing.

“This has nothing to do with racing,” he reportedly said in conversations with insiders. Instead of pure speed and skill, he believes it’s too much about energy management, battery strategy and random overtakes that seem more like a lottery than a battle on the track.

Max Verstappen’s four-time world title has put the sport in the spotlight in recent years. The Netherlands turns orange during race weekends and the popularity of Formula 1 has exploded worldwide. Yet Jos warns that it is precisely this dominance of one driver or one team that will be counterproductive in the long run. “If it is clear who will win in every race, then people will eventually stop watching.

The sport must remain exciting, with multiple winners and real battles wheel to wheel.” He compares the current situation to the period of Mercedes dominance between 2014 and 2020, when Lewis Hamilton and the German team were almost unbeatable. At the time, many teams and fans also complained about the lack of competition. Now the circle seems complete: Red Bull had a strong period, but with the new rules Mercedes seems to be on the rise again.

According to sources in the paddock, Jos Verstappen would have spoken harshly to Mercedes. He praised the team’s technical expertise and suggested that they have mastered the new power units better than the competition. “Mercedes knows how to deal with these complex hybrid systems. They have the experience and the engineers who can handle these types of challenges,” he hinted. To many observers, that sounds like an invitation or at least a hint towards Toto Wolff and the team from Brackley.

Max Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but it is said to contain clauses that allow an early departure if performance disappoints. Jos does not deny that his son’s future is under discussion. “Max loves racing, fighting at the limit. If that fun disappears, then it stops. Then I can’t stand it anymore.”

The new 2026 regulations were intended to bring the sport closer together. Smaller cars, less downforce, active aero and a larger electric share were supposed to make overtaking easier and the races more unpredictable. In practice it turns out to be different. Drivers complain about heavy cars, difficult handling and a big difference in pace between the teams. Mercedes seems to be performing better in qualifying and the race with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, while Red Bull is struggling with the setup of the RB22. Max Verstappen has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction several times.

After the Japanese Grand Prix he spoke about a possible departure if the rules are not changed. Jos goes one step further: he fears that his son is losing motivation. “You hear that it takes some getting used to, but I have a gloomy view of it. Max is not going to enjoy it this way.”

The tension within Red Bull is palpable. Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are trying to keep things together, but the departure of top designer Adrian Newey has left a hole. The new car is clearly not yet at the level of Mercedes. Fans and analysts are speculating a lot about a transfer from Max to Mercedes in 2027 or earlier. Toto Wolff has already hinted several times that he would love to see Max in a silver overall. “We are always interested in the best drivers,” Wolff said earlier this year. Jos’ statements seem to add fuel to the fire.

By praising Mercedes, he creates pressure on Red Bull to make rapid improvements.

Yet not everyone agrees with Jos Verstappen. Critics believe that he takes on too much of the role of ‘warmonger’, as Johnny Herbert once called him. According to them, Max has to decide for himself and the pressure from his father is sometimes too much. Others point out that dominance is part of the sport. In the past there were periods of Williams, Ferrari and Mercedes who ruled the roost for years. Only after rule changes did balance return. The FIA ​​and Liberty Media are under pressure to listen to the drivers.

Jos calls for quick adjustments: “If we don’t do anything, it will become deadly boring. The fans deserve better.”

The reaction in the paddock was mixed. Some team bosses smiled wryly, others nodded in agreement. Mercedes kept a low profile, but insiders report that the team received Jos’ words with interest. It remains quiet for Max himself. He concentrates on the races and tries to get the most out of the current car. Yet it is clear that his frustration is also growing. After a difficult start to the season, with inferior qualifications and difficult races, his criticism of the 2026 cars is becoming increasingly fierce.

“This is no longer Formula 1, this is something else,” he is said to have said.

The future of Formula 1 partly depends on how this story develops. If Mercedes continues to dominate and Red Bull does not return quickly, the chance of Max leaving increases. Jos Verstappen is clear: he wants his son to continue racing at the highest level, but with fun and real competition. “I can’t stand this anymore if it continues like this. The sport must change, otherwise it is in danger of losing its soul.” His threat to leave is not an empty threat, but a cry for help out of love for racing.

Meanwhile, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the upcoming races. Will Red Bull find the setup that brings Max back to the front? Or will Mercedes continue to win and their dominance will only increase? In any case, Jos Verstappen has opened up the discussion. His words resonate with many people who believe that Formula 1 has become too predictable. Whether it leads to real changes depends on the FIA, the teams and especially the drivers themselves.

Formula 1 has proven to be resilient in the past. Rule changes have created new winners before. But Jos Verstappen’s warning is serious. If the sport is not careful, it risks losing its biggest star. And with Max Verstappen, a large part of the passion and the orange spectacle would also disappear. Mercedes is ready, that’s clear. The ball is now in Red Bull’s court and the regulations makers. The coming months will be crucial for the future of the king of motorsport.