Max Verstappen’s frustration boiled over during the Japanese Grand Prix, after unheard footage showed a tense radio exchange with Red Bull’s head of racing Gianpiero Lambiase.Verstappen, 28, endured another horror Sunday at Suzuka, as he finished P8 after suffering elimination in Q2.

The four-time world champion has picked up just 12 points from the opening three races and is ninth in the Formula 1 drivers standings. He spent most of the race stuck behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, despite having the faster car. But Gasly was able to hold position and secure seventh, with Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri making up the top six.

While he was right in the thick of his battle with Gasly, the Dutchman and Lambiase exchanged a number of words, with Verstappen taking a swipe at his race engineer.

Lambiase started: “Laps are quicker than Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc and Russell’s laps.”

Verstappen, who was chasing Gasly, added: “Yeah, the Alpine is fast as well.”

Lambiase continued: “I think you’ve got two or three tenths on him, but I appreciate it’s difficult to overtake.”

In blunt fashion, Verstappen replied: “Easy to say, mate, when you’re on the pit wall.”

Verstappen’s performance in Japan, his start to the 2026 season and the new F1 regulations has seen him consider his future in the sport.

When asked if he was going to walk away from F1 at the end of the year, Verstappen said following the Japanese GP: “That’s what I’m saying. I’m thinking about everything inside this paddock.

“Privately I’m very happy. You also wait for 24 races. This time it’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’re not enjoying your sport?”

Verstappen’s admission came following a report from Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, who said he could quit the sport at the end of the season. It claimed there are “crucial weeks ahead”, with the F1 season set to take a month break before the next grand prix due to two cancelled races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

While Verstappen wasn’t pleased with his performance in Japan and Red Bull‘s form, he believes his unhappiness is down to the cars he previously linked to Mario Kart and labelled “anti-racing”.

“I can easily accept to be in P7 or P8 where I am,” Verstappen said. “Because I also know that you can’t be dominating or be first or second or whatever, fighting for a podium every time. I’m very realistic in that and I’ve been there before. I’ve not only been winning in F1.

“But at the same time when you are in P7 or P8 and you are not enjoying the whole formula behind it, it doesn’t feel natural to a racing driver.

“Of course I try to adapt to it, but it’s not nice the way you have to race. It’s really anti-driving. Then at one point, yeah, it’s just not what I want to do.

“And of course you can look at it and make a lot of money. Great. But at the end of the day it’s not about money any more because this has always been my passion.”