{"id":1873473,"date":"2026-04-08T08:13:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T05:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1873473"},"modified":"2026-04-08T08:13:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T05:13:43","slug":"outspoken-race-winner-claims-f1-doesnt-need-max-verstappen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1873473","title":{"rendered":"Outspoken race winner claims F1 \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Outspoken race winner claims F1 \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>F1 race winner Eddie Irvine gives his take on Max Verstappen&#8217;s complaints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-08T10:13:12+00:00\">Updated: 08 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Verstappen has threatened to walk away from F1<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ex-Formula 1 race winner Eddie Irvine has claimed the series \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen in response to the four-time world champion\u2019s quit threats.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen sent shockwaves through the paddock after the Japanese Grand Prix when he said he is considering walking away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull driver, who finished seventh at Suzuka, is unhappy with the direction F1 has gone in with its new regulations amid a shift towards a greater emphasis on electrical energy.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen has been the harshest critic of F1\u2019s new rules, labelling them \u201cFormula E on steroids\u201d during pre-season testing, before continuing to make further disparaging comments across the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>He made his strongest comments yet in Japan by threatening to quit F1, telling BBC Sport: &#8220;That&#8217;s what I&#8217;m saying. I&#8217;m thinking about everything inside this paddock.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Privately I&#8217;m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it&#8217;s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you&#8217;re not enjoying your sport?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine, who won four grands prix on his way to finishing runner-up in 1999 with Ferrari, reacted to Verstappen\u2019s latest remarks in an interview with Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5f100e88de7454d908b93370975d24dc1906a37ca086534302ea59223b4eb96e\">  Verstappen to lose right-hand man to McLaren bombshell report claims   Red Bull insists &#8220;no discussions&#8221; about Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future &#8220;if we get a fast car&#8221; <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cF1 doesn\u2019t need Max, there are plenty of talented drivers,\u201d Irvine stated. \u201cIt\u2019s tough for him to find himself in the middle of the pack. But considering his salary, there are over \u20ac50 million (\u00a343.5m) in good reasons to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine is the latest former F1 driver to weigh in on Verstappen voicing his displeasure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle told Verstappen to either leave F1 \u201cor stop talking about it\u201d after growing tired of hearing his repeated complaints.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6ee4b45d09df56f5935f24ab6381161f2d5f2b8b7c76332fcc5c12e7dfc5b2c8\">  Damon Hill tells Max Verstappen &#8220;stop and do something else&#8221; amid F1 displeasure   \u201cDon\u2019t feel sorry for me\u201d: Max Verstappen talks F1 career dilemma <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Max is very unfiltered isn&#8217;t he? He always has been,&#8221; Brundle said. &#8220;And he&#8217;s talked a lot for a long time about &#8216;I&#8217;m not in this for a long haul, I&#8217;m not going to be around in my 40s.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting a bit boring now, what he&#8217;s saying. Either go, or stop talking about it. It is what it is, you&#8217;ve got to make the most of it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nobody is indispensable in this business. I&#8217;ve seen a number of amazing people come through this sport and are no longer with us, or have moved on to do something else. The sport goes on. This goes for any of us. The minute we stop, people will be talking about who does the job next.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are any number of [Kimi] Antonellis, [Ollie] Bearmans, [Arvid] 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Red Bull<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Max Verstappen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Nurburgring set for first F1 action in six years with test involving Mercedes and McLaren<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1063751_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> McLaren hands F2 champion Silverstone F1 test<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/leonardo_fornaroli_silverstone_5.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-ffefa6e5f8b98d0746e0449b19f2be8151b072e347479375cc55a88481bf2e4b\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-efaaa65741f850df4a401032ae33944549e679be9f3f48df48b0600239ae7eb3\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Red Bull wants F1 rule changes to focus on 2027 \u2018while there\u2019s time\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775290200\"> 04\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603270376.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen was once again unhappy with his Red Bull\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Red Bull offers Miami F1 hope to Verstappen, but not &#8220;miracles&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775203980\"> 03\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1403868_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>F1 champion Max Verstappen announces next Nurburgring outing<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775139548\"> 02\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603250269_3.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen is preparing to tackle the legendary Nurburgring 24 Hours\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future faces fresh doubt amid motivation fears<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775127900\"> 02\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202603290590_0.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen is weighing up his F1 future \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad suffers crash during Suzuka tyre test<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775048090\"> 01\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1402786_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Lindblad has impressed in his early F1 races\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Go or stop talking&#8221; Martin Brundle tells &#8216;boring&#8217; Max Verstappen<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775032209\"> 01\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404375_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen said he is considering his F1 future \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>F1 race winner Eddie Irvine gives his take on Max Verstappen&#8217;s complaints.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ex-Formula 1 race winner Eddie Irvine has claimed the series \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen in response to the four-time world champion\u2019s quit threats.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen sent shockwaves through the paddock after the Japanese Grand Prix when he said he is considering walking away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull driver, who finished seventh at Suzuka, is unhappy with the direction F1 has gone in with its new regulations amid a shift towards a greater emphasis on electrical energy.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen has been the harshest critic of F1\u2019s new rules, labelling them \u201cFormula E on steroids\u201d during pre-season testing, before continuing to make further disparaging comments across the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>He made his strongest comments yet in Japan by threatening to quit F1, telling BBC Sport: &#8220;That&#8217;s what I&#8217;m saying. I&#8217;m thinking about everything inside this paddock.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Privately I&#8217;m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it&#8217;s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you&#8217;re not enjoying your sport?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine, who won four grands prix on his way to finishing runner-up in 1999 with Ferrari, reacted to Verstappen\u2019s latest remarks in an interview with Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5f100e88de7454d908b93370975d24dc1906a37ca086534302ea59223b4eb96e\">  Verstappen to lose right-hand man to McLaren bombshell report claims   Red Bull insists &#8220;no discussions&#8221; about Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future &#8220;if we get a fast car&#8221; <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cF1 doesn\u2019t need Max, there are plenty of talented drivers,\u201d Irvine stated. \u201cIt\u2019s tough for him to find himself in the middle of the pack. But considering his salary, there are over \u20ac50 million (\u00a343.5m) in good reasons to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine is the latest former F1 driver to weigh in on Verstappen voicing his displeasure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle told Verstappen to either leave F1 \u201cor stop talking about it\u201d after growing tired of hearing his repeated complaints.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6ee4b45d09df56f5935f24ab6381161f2d5f2b8b7c76332fcc5c12e7dfc5b2c8\">  Damon Hill tells Max Verstappen &#8220;stop and do something else&#8221; amid F1 displeasure   \u201cDon\u2019t feel sorry for me\u201d: Max Verstappen talks F1 career dilemma <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Max is very unfiltered isn&#8217;t he? He always has been,&#8221; Brundle said. &#8220;And he&#8217;s talked a lot for a long time about &#8216;I&#8217;m not in this for a long haul, I&#8217;m not going to be around in my 40s.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting a bit boring now, what he&#8217;s saying. Either go, or stop talking about it. It is what it is, you&#8217;ve got to make the most of it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nobody is indispensable in this business. I&#8217;ve seen a number of amazing people come through this sport and are no longer with us, or have moved on to do something else. The sport goes on. This goes for any of us. The minute we stop, people will be talking about who does the job next.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are any number of [Kimi] Antonellis, [Ollie] Bearmans, [Arvid] 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Ex-Formula 1 race winner Eddie Irvine has claimed the series \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen in response to the four-time world champion\u2019s quit threats.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen sent shockwaves through the paddock after the Japanese Grand Prix when he said he is considering walking away from F1 at the end of the season due to his dissatisfaction with the 2026 regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The Red Bull driver, who finished seventh at Suzuka, is unhappy with the direction F1 has gone in with its new regulations amid a shift towards a greater emphasis on electrical energy.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen has been the harshest critic of F1\u2019s new rules, labelling them \u201cFormula E on steroids\u201d during pre-season testing, before continuing to make further disparaging comments across the opening three rounds of the campaign.<\/p>\n<p>He made his strongest comments yet in Japan by threatening to quit F1, telling BBC Sport: &#8220;That&#8217;s what I&#8217;m saying. I&#8217;m thinking about everything inside this paddock.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Privately I&#8217;m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it&#8217;s 22. But normally 24. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you&#8217;re not enjoying your sport?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine, who won four grands prix on his way to finishing runner-up in 1999 with Ferrari, reacted to Verstappen\u2019s latest remarks in an interview with Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5f100e88de7454d908b93370975d24dc1906a37ca086534302ea59223b4eb96e\">  Verstappen to lose right-hand man to McLaren bombshell report claims   Red Bull insists &#8220;no discussions&#8221; about Max Verstappen&#8217;s F1 future &#8220;if we get a fast car&#8221; <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cF1 doesn\u2019t need Max, there are plenty of talented drivers,\u201d Irvine stated. \u201cIt\u2019s tough for him to find himself in the middle of the pack. But considering his salary, there are over \u20ac50 million (\u00a343.5m) in good reasons to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Irvine is the latest former F1 driver to weigh in on Verstappen voicing his displeasure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle told Verstappen to either leave F1 \u201cor stop talking about it\u201d after growing tired of hearing his repeated complaints.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-6ee4b45d09df56f5935f24ab6381161f2d5f2b8b7c76332fcc5c12e7dfc5b2c8\">  Damon Hill tells Max Verstappen &#8220;stop and do something else&#8221; amid F1 displeasure   \u201cDon\u2019t feel sorry for me\u201d: Max Verstappen talks F1 career dilemma <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Max is very unfiltered isn&#8217;t he? He always has been,&#8221; Brundle said. &#8220;And he&#8217;s talked a lot for a long time about &#8216;I&#8217;m not in this for a long haul, I&#8217;m not going to be around in my 40s.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s getting a bit boring now, what he&#8217;s saying. Either go, or stop talking about it. It is what it is, you&#8217;ve got to make the most of it.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Nobody is indispensable in this business. I&#8217;ve seen a number of amazing people come through this sport and are no longer with us, or have moved on to do something else. The sport goes on. This goes for any of us. The minute we stop, people will be talking about who does the job next.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are any number of [Kimi] Antonellis, [Ollie] Bearmans, [Arvid] 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092909\/1\/outspoken-race-winner-claims-f1-doesnt-need-max-verstappen&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404684_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Outspoken race winner claims F1 \u201cdoesn\u2019t need\u201d Max Verstappen F1 race winner Eddie Irvine gives his take on Max Verstappen&#8217;s complaints. Lewis Larkam Updated: 08 Apr 2026 Share Verstappen has threatened to walk away from F1 Add as a preferred source Ex-Formula 1 race winner Eddie Irvine has claimed the series \u201cdoesn\u2019t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1873473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1873473"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873473\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1873473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1873473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1873473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}