Max Verstappen sensationally threatens to quit F1 after claiming pole for Aussie GP

On Apr 1, 2023

Formula one world champion and current Drivers Championship leader Max Verstappen has incredibly threatened to walk away from the sport shortly after putting his Red Bull car on pole for the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who is the back-to-back champion of the sport, has raised concerns over his long-term future in the hot seat despite his on-track dominance continuing in the beginning of the 2023 season.

The Dutchman claimed Red Bull’s third consecutive pole position of the season after a tough qualifying session that saw teammate Sergio Perez crash out in Q3, leaving the Mexican at the back of the grid for tomorrow’s race.

Amid potential changes pushed by current Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the increased introduction of the new sprint race format could replace practice events that bode no points on offer for drivers or teams.

The sprint format introduced sees a half-hour mini race that will decide the grid order for the Grand Prix, with the sprint’s starting order decided by qualifying which replaces an extra practice session.

Max Verstappen has won back-to-back Drivers Championships
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Talking about the possible changes, Verstappen said: “I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long.

“I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races. But it is not the right way to go about it.

“I understand they want to make every day at the track exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.

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Max Verstappen during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that.”

The Dutchman starts on pole position at Albert Park alongside Mercedes driver George Russell who also qualified on the front row, whilst Red Bull teammate Perez starts from the back.