Verstappen Takes His Time on F1 Future, Calls Rule Tweaks a 'Tickle'

Max Verstappen says he's taking his time deciding his Formula One future, calling recent rule changes just a 'tickle'-not enough to make a real difference.

The four-time world champion has been open about not liking the sport's new engine era, even hinting he'd walk away. The uncertainty grew after McLaren announced his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join them by 2028 at the latest.

'I still have time and I'm taking my time,' Verstappen told reporters Thursday ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

He said Lambiase's move doesn't affect his plans. Verstappen once said he'd quit racing if Lambiase left, but he backed away from that Thursday, grinning, 'Otherwise I don't get to drive.' He added, 'I would be an idiot to try and keep him.'

On the revised rules introduced in Miami after the April break, Verstappen said, 'It's more like a tickle. It's not what we need yet to really make it flat out.'