Max Verstappen's F1 retirement threat is 'not empty', warns David Croft

Sky Sports Formula 1 commentator David Croft believes that Max Verstappen's retirement threats are 'not empty' and has argued that the Red Bull driver should not stay in the series if he has lost the love for it.

While Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, it is understood that he could activate a contract clause to exit earlier.

The Dutchman has made his feelings about the new F1 regulations abundantly clear and has discussed the possibility of walking away from the championship at the end of the year. 

Croft was asked about the four-time champion's retirement threats during the Sky Sports F1 Show.

"No, I don't think they're empty threats at all," he said. "One thing that we've learned from Max from the 11 years that he's been in Formula 1 is that he pretty much sticks to what he says.

"And he's always been of the view that I'm not going to stay around in this sport forever because there are other things I'm going to go and do and I'm going to spend more time with my family and my friends. 

"So, for me, the expectation is he may well go at the end of this Red Bull contract anyway, but this is clearly not a formula and a format that he's enjoying currently. Whether that Red Bull car is doing well or not, I don't think it necessarily appeals to him.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Alex Bierens de Haan / Getty Images

"And he is just voicing his concerns for the sport. He's voicing his concerns for himself and is saying in a very Max Verstappen way, without trying to create headlines, 'Look, if it's not going to change for next year, if we're going to have this sort of thing for years to come, I don't really want to be a part of it. I don't need it. I don't need the money. There are other things I can go off and do.'

"Max wants to get behind the wheel, be it in a simulator, be it virtual racing, be it on the track, and have fun racing. And if he's not having fun, he will go off. And I think we should take this very, very seriously and not necessarily judge him on it either. If he's not feeling the love for the actual sport, then don't stick around. Motorsport is dangerous. You don't want to be doing this sort of thing if you haven't got the love for it."