'Not mentally doable to stay like this' - Verstappen renews quit threat

Max Verstappen has threatened to quit Formula 1 at the end of this season if planned changes to the engine regulations for next year are blocked. Governing body the FIA said two weeks ago that an agreement had been reached in principle to changes that would reduce the need for energy management with the new engines introduced this year. But opposition has emerged in subsequent talks around the detail of the plan and there is currently not enough support for the move to be passed under F1's gover

"If it stays like this, it's going to be a long year next year, which I don't want," said Verstappen. "It's just mentally not doable for me to stay like this. It's really not." Verstappen confirmed that if he did decide to stop, he would not come back. "There's a lot of other fun things out there," he said. Drivers have been complaining this year about the way the new engines, which have a nominal 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy, have reduced their ability to drive on the limit at all times. The engines are energy starved, which has required techniques to recover energy even on qualifying laps. One change has already been made to address this and the latest plan is to make the energy split - which is actually currently about 54-46 in favour of the internal combustion engine - 60-40. The effect of this will further reduce the need for energy management, especially in qualifying. Verstappen said on Thursday that the planned changes would return racing "almost back to normal" - and hinted he would stay in the sport as a result. "It will make the product better, so that means that I'm happier," he said. To be able to continue and perform well. "For me, I'm happy where I'm at.

Key points

• "If it stays like this, it's going to be a long year next year, which I don't want," said Verstappen.
• "It's just mentally not doable for me to stay like this.
• It's really not." Verstappen confirmed that if he did decide to stop, he would not come back.
• "There's a lot of other fun things out there," he said.
• Drivers have been complaining this year about the way the new engines, which have a nominal 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy, have reduced their ability to drive on the…