Max Verstappen has threatened to walk out on Formula One if bosses mess with its ‘DNA’ by expanding the number of sprint race weekends. ‘I understand they want to make every day exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only qualify and race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting. ‘We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. Verstappen, who had the plans explained to him personally by Formula One Group, added: ‘A sprint race is all about surviving and not racing. ‘Even if you change the format, I don’t find it is in the DNA of Formula One to do these kind of sprint races. ‘F1 is about getting the most out of it in qualifying and have an amazing Sunday over a long race distance.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•