Patrese: “F1 can’t afford to lose Verstappen”

The 2026 rules don’t like the Dutchman “He throws a tantrum”. “He says that because he’s not used to not being in front.” Several prominent figures such as Gunther Steiner and Mario Andretti have criticized the attitude of Max Verstappen, who has never missed an opportunity to underline how much he doesn’t like F1 2026, going so far as to suggest retirement because he no longer enjoys it. According to Riccardo Patrese, however, F1 must examine its conscience regarding the 2026 regulation because – unlike what Juan Pablo Montoya believes – it cannot afford to lose drivers like Max Verstappen: “At the moment Verstappen is the driver capable of putting on the most spectacle and making F1 exciting – said Patrese reached by Grosvenor Casino – the Circus needs a driver like Verstappen, it cannot afford to lose him. He has a strong character and could even deciding to leave because he has already achieved the results he wanted, taking away all the satisfaction, Verstappen has always been very clear that when the motivation and joy of driving disappeared he would go and race elsewhere.” Regarding the possible departure from F1, Patrese still believes that before leaving the paddock Verstappen will try to win with another team: “We know that he has decided to stay in Red Bull this year to evaluate which team has interpreted the new rules best – added the former driver – I believe that before leaving Formula 1 he would like to try driving another competitive car and perhaps aim for his fifth world title”,