Max Verstappen has questioned whether his time-consuming investment in Formula 1 is "still worth it", insisting his wellbeing surpasses money when he considers the sport's changes and expansion.
Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are in a league of their own this season, having won ten of the twelve races that have taken place so far this year.
The Dutchman will resume at Zandvoort next week his relentless forward march towards a third world title.
But the 25-year-old's unwavering success hasn't diminished the genuine concerns he feels about the direction followed by F1.
From an expansion of the sport's calendar to an increase of the number of sprint race weekends, Verstappen suggests that he is growing tired of F1's time-absorbing hectic schedule and the strain it imposes.
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Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028 but has hinted on several occasions that he could choose to leave the sport at the end of that term to pursue other endeavors.
"I'm worried about the sport I have always enjoyed," he said in an interview with De Telegraaf. "I still do, but only to a certain extent.
"It's not that I'm totally against change, like some people claim. But those changes have to benefit Formula 1.
"Why do you have to change things when they're going well? I think a traditional qualifying session is a great format, it doesn't all have to revolve around money.
"People might think: 'Well, he makes a lot of money, what is that guy complaining about?' But it's about your wellbeing, how you experience things and not how much you make.
"I feel like I have to do too much and skip other things, so I sometimes think: 'Is it still worth it?'"
While highlighting the protracted aspect of his job, Verstappen says the constraints extend beyond the sheer volume of races, with off-track commitments and marketing duties also weighing on one's comfort.
"[Travel] isn't the biggest problem. It's more about all the extra stuff I have to do," he added.
"Thursdays on a race weekend can be very long depending on where we are and outside the grands prix there's a lot of simulator work.
"For example, I lose over a month per year to marketing. At a certain moment you just don't feel like doing all that anymore."
Verstappen's grievances are likely dampened by his current wave of success with Red Bull.
But should his team falter, or if it fails to get it right when F1 introduces its next big regulation changes in 2026, could he throw in the towel before the end of 2028?
"Things would have to be really bad for that to happen," he said.
"I don't expect the team to fall back that much with all the great people we have. But in this sport it's always possible you're not that competitive.
"It depends on what the prospects are, but yeah, I don't see myself touring in the midfield for three years. Then I'd rather stay at home or go do something else. But again, I don't expect that to happen."
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