Oscar Piastri admits it is “not a great look” for Formula 1 if Max Verstappen decides to walk away from the sport.
Four-time world champion Verstappen, 28., has been vocal in his disdain for the 2026 regulations — comparing the style of racing to Mario Kart.
He has also begun turning his hand to other ventures such as last weekend when he was seen competing in an endurance race at the Nurburgring in Germany.
And Piastri believes Verstappen’s departure from F1 would be a blow to everyone on the grid.
He said: “I think it would be a shame for the sport to lose Max, especially at this point in his career as well. It would be a big loss for the sport as a whole.
“As drivers, we want to race against and try to prove ourselves against the best. Max has shown his calibre in the last 10 years. Especially the last five or six, he’s been the benchmark.
“So I think for everyone, it would be a pretty big shame, and obviously not a great look.”
Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris also wants to see Verstappen stay on the grid for the foreseeable future.
Reigning world champion Norris, 26, was pushed all the way by Verstappen in 2025, eventually pipping the Dutchman by two points.
Yet despite being a rival of Verstappen, he said: “Max has earned the right to go and do whatever he wants. He’s won four world championships. He’s always been the guy.
“So it will be a shame for the sport, it will be a loss for the sport if that does happen, because he probably is one of the best drivers you’ll see in Formula 1 ever.
“And I think it’ll be a shame for us, because as much as he makes our lives incredibly tough at times, he’s always good fun to race against.
“But hopefully things get better. And he said he wants to win a fifth world championship at the moment, so I’m sure he’ll stay longer than people say.”
Verstappen has picked up just 12 points from the opening three races and is already 60 adrift of Kimi Antonelli.
After a five-week hiatus due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, F1 returns in Miami on the first weekend of May.
