EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Piquet reveals Max Verstappen told her he wants to quit F1 – “He told me he wants to leave… and it wasn’t a threat” – as Red Bull chaos deepens and insiders say the four-time champion’s exit may have been quietly planned for months

The future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 has been thrown into fresh doubt after his partner Kelly Piquet made the most revealing comments yet about the Dutchman’s state of mind.

In an emotional and surprisingly frank interview, Piquet admitted that Verstappen has openly told her he wants to leave the sport, adding the chilling line: “He told me he wants to leave… and it wasn’t a threat.”

The Brazilian model and mother of Verstappen’s daughter went further, revealing intimate details about how the four-time world champion confided in her during late-night conversations and how the recent departure of several close Red Bull associates has only strengthened his resolve.

What has truly alarmed the paddock is the suggestion that this may not be a heat-of-the-moment decision born from frustration, but a long-planned exit that has been quietly brewing for months.

THE CONVERSATION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport from her home in Monaco, Kelly Piquet described the moment Verstappen first voiced his desire to walk away from Formula 1.

“It wasn’t said in anger,” she explained. “We were sitting on the balcony late at night after another difficult race weekend. He looked at me and said very calmly, ‘I think I want to leave.’ It wasn’t a threat. It wasn’t emotional. It was just honest. He’s been thinking about this for a long time.”

Piquet revealed that Verstappen has grown increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the sport under the new 2026 regulations, the internal politics at Red Bull, and the relentless pressure that now comes with being the face of Formula 1.

“He loves racing, but he doesn’t love what F1 has become,” she said. “The politics, the rules that seem to change every year, the way everything feels manufactured. He misses the pure joy he felt when he was younger.”

THE DEPARTURE OF CLOSE ASSOCIATES

The timing of Verstappen’s comments coincides with a wave of high-profile exits from Red Bull Racing that has left the team in turmoil.

First Adrian Newey, then the shock departure of race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren, and now whispers of further senior staff considering their futures.

Piquet hinted that these exits have played a major role in Max’s thinking.

“Max has lost people he trusted deeply,” she said. “When the people who understood him best started leaving, it made him question whether he still belongs there. He feels the team he knew is disappearing.”

Sources close to the Verstappen camp confirm that the loss of Lambiase in particular hit the Dutchman hard, describing it as “the final straw” in a long list of disappointments.

A LONG-PLANNED DECISION?

What is causing genuine concern inside Red Bull and the wider F1 community is the belief that Verstappen’s desire to leave may not be a fleeting reaction to poor results, but a carefully considered plan that has been developing for some time.

Piquet revealed that Verstappen has been quietly exploring life after Formula 1 for over a year, including potential business ventures, sim racing projects, and even spending more time with his young daughter.

“He’s not the type to make impulsive decisions,” she said. “When Max says something like this, he has already thought it through from every angle. That’s what worries me. It wasn’t said in the heat of the moment. It felt final.”

Insiders say Verstappen has already activated certain clauses in his contract that allow him greater flexibility, and there are growing fears he could walk away as early as the end of the 2026 season — or even sooner if results do not improve dramatically.

THE PRESSURE OF BEING THE FACE OF F1

At 28, Verstappen remains one of the most dominant and marketable drivers in the sport’s history. However, Piquet painted a picture of a man exhausted by the constant scrutiny, political battles, and the weight of carrying an entire team on his shoulders.

“He carries everything,” she said. “The expectations from the team, from the fans, from the media. There are days when he comes home and just wants silence. The joy he once felt on the track is harder to find now.”

She also spoke about the impact on their family life, revealing that Verstappen has expressed a desire to be more present as a father and to step away from the “24/7 circus” that comes with being a global superstar.

RED BULL’S GROWING CRISIS

The revelations come at a critical time for Red Bull Racing, which is struggling to compete with McLaren and Mercedes under the new regulations.

The team’s once-feared dominance has evaporated, and the internal atmosphere is said to be increasingly tense.

Christian Horner and the senior management are reportedly holding crisis talks to try and persuade Verstappen to stay, but sources say the driver has grown distant and disillusioned with the current direction.

FAN REACTION: HEARTBREAK AND UNDERSTANDING

The news has triggered an emotional response from fans worldwide.

Many have expressed heartbreak at the thought of losing one of the most talented drivers of his generation, while others say they understand Verstappen’s frustration and support his right to choose happiness over trophies.

Social media has been flooded with messages ranging from “Please don’t go, Max” to “If he’s not happy, he should leave. He’s given enough.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

With the 2026 season still in its early stages, all eyes will now be on Verstappen’s performances and his public comments in the coming races.

Red Bull faces the enormous challenge of trying to convince their star driver that the team still has a future worth fighting for.

For Kelly Piquet, the priority remains clear.

“I just want him to be happy,” she said. “Wherever that is — on the track or away from it. I will support whatever decision he makes.”

As the summer break approaches, the biggest question in Formula 1 is no longer who will win the championship, but whether Max Verstappen will still be part of it by the time the chequered flag falls on 2026.

The four-time champion has sent the clearest signal yet that his time in F1 may be coming to an end — and this time, it doesn’t sound like a threat.

It sounds like a decision.