Martin Brundle sends stern message to Max Verstappen – ‘Go or stop talking about it’ | F1 | Sport

Martin Brundle has urged Max Verstappen to quit F1 or stop complaining. The four-time world champion’s repeated criticism of the sport’s new regulations, which require drivers to carefully manage their car’s electrical energy, has been a major talking point over the first three weekends.

Verstappen said he was unhappy with the regulations when they were first unveiled in 2023 and, according to the Dutchman, it has been a case of ‘I told you so’. The Red Bull driver has been left further downcast by the performance of his team, who are trailing ‘big four’ rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. Verstappen, who insists he would have slammed the rules even if he was winning races, says he could walk away from F1 at the end of the season if he continues not enjoying his racing.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle understands Verstappen’s complaints and agrees that tweaks to the rules are needed. However, he doesn’t want his complaints to dominate the season.

Brundle told the Sky Sports F1 podcast: “Max is very unfiltered and he has been for a long time. He’s always talked about the fact he’s not in it for the long haul, that he’s not going to be hanging around into his 40s.

“Max would say it’s getting a bit boring now. I think it’s getting a bit boring with what he’s saying. Either go or stop talking about it, because it is what it is, you’ve got to make the most of it.”

Brundle insists he would miss Verstappen’s brilliance on the track but says no figure in the sport is irreplaceable. He added: “I would hugely miss his talent, his generational speed and car control. It is something very few people in the history of motorsport have had. It’s quite extraordinary.

“I have no doubt whatsoever, given his employer were building their own power unit for the first time, that there’ll be an exit clause [in his contract] to see how it goes.

“Mercedes are saying there’s no place at this particular inn at the moment. No one is indispensable. This goes for any of us. The minute we stop, people will be talking about who’s doing the job next. The sport will just move on. I’d be surprised if he walked away from it.”

Some changes are set to be implemented in time for the Miami Grand Prix in early May. That is the season’s next race following the cancellation of both the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and Bahrain Grand Prix due to conflict in the Middle East.