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Why new rules have Verstappen on the brink of walking away from F1

Max Verstappen predicted F1's new rule set would underwhelm, and 2026 is proving him correct, so much so that he might just quit the sport entirely.

19hNate Saunders
Marcel van Dorst/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Forget luck: Antonelli shows he's an F1 title threat in Japan

Yes, the timing of a safety car helped Kimi Antonelli to Sunday's win at the Japanese GP, but he was still the fastest car on track when it happened.

3dLaurence Edmondson

VERSTAPPEN'S VERDICT

Max Verstappen vs. F1's new rules: Every complaint this season -- and our verdict

Amid a wave of complaints from F1 four-time world champion Max Verstappen, ESPN's Nate Saunders examines every one and gives his verdict on whether they are warranted.

2dNate Saunders
Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Hamilton disagrees with Max: F1 now at its 'best'

Lewis Hamilton has said Formula 1's new cars have delivered "how racing should be" and suggested Max Verstappen's criticism is down to Red Bull not being competitive anymore.

6dNate Saunders

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NEWEY STEPS DOWN

Sources: Newey to step down as Aston team leader

Adrian Newey is set to step back from his team leadership role at Aston Martin to focus solely on technical matters, sources have confirmed to ESPN.

12dNate Saunders
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

F1 MOVIE WINS OSCAR

Hamilton's epic Sunday as 'F1' movie claims Oscar

Lewis Hamilton's successful weekend was capped off with an Oscar on Sunday, as the "F1" movie won an Academy Award for Best Sound.

16dESPN
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FORMULA 1

How Honda's issues have left Aston Martin drivers fearing for their safety

25dLaurence Edmondson
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

One reason to root for all 22 drivers on the 2026 F1 grid

On the eve of a new season, ESPN stops at every garage up and down pit lane with details on why you should be rooting for every driver on the F1 grid.

27dNate Saunders
Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

Has Aston Martin's F1 super-team turned into a disaster team?

28dNate Saunders

Is 2026 Ferrari's year? Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc's F1 hope - as 'Macarena' wing turns heads

28dLaurence Edmondson

Verstappen after F1 rant: Bit late to make changes

27dLaurence Edmondson

Norris: If I wasn't motivated to win title, I'd retire

27dNate Saunders

Why Bottas won't serve 15-month-old F1 penalty

27dNate Saunders

Australian Grand Prix: Does winning first race of F1's new era guarantee title?

27dESPN

The craziest F1 start ever? Why Australian Grand Prix might see chaos from the off

25dLaurence Edmondson

Australian Grand Prix 2026: Race start time, how to watch, full schedule, predictions

25dESPN

Bold predictions for F1 in 2026: Ferrari will end its title drought

25dNate Saunders

Formula 1's new terminology explained: Overtake Mode, Boost, and how it affects 2026 racing

29dESPN

FORMULA 1

Ferrari impress as Leclerc leads F1 testing times

Charles Leclerc ensured Ferrari ended preseason testing in style with a scintillating set of late laps in Bahrain that will increase hype around the Italian team's 2026 chances.

39dNate Saunders
Joe Portlock/Getty Images

Who's really fastest in 2026? F1's new rules are confusing the pecking order -- and the drivers

Formula 1's new era was always going to bring questions, but its first week of serious running has raised more than most. With one more preseason test in Bahrain still to come, ESPN makes sense of a fascinating three days in Sakhir.

42dLaurence Edmondson
Ahmad AlShehab/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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