The Saturday 100km dash is now a standalone event with its own qualifying and is unconnected to Sunday’s main race.

The double world champion is not a big fan of sprints and thought carefully when asked by reporters in Baku about the new format and expanding schedule on Thursday.

Double world champion Max Verstappen could quit F1 when his Red Bull deal expires in 2028

Verstappen is not a big fan of sprints with this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix the first of six

‘If we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question yourself “is it worth it?”,’ said the Dutch driver.

‘I do like racing, I do like winning. I know that of course the salary and everything, you have a good life, but is it actually a good life?

‘I think sometimes you get to a point in your career where maybe you want to do other stuff.

‘I know that I have a contract until the end of 2028, and then we’ll review again. But I do feel that if it’s getting at one point too much, then it’s time for a change.’

Verstappen accepted it might seem odd to those on the outside, but he was not interested in equalling or beating Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton’s record seven titles.

‘I want to do other things, other competitions. A bit like Fernando (Alonso) did,’ he said.

Alonso, a double F1 world champion, is also a two-times winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and has taken part in the Indianapolis 500.

The Spaniard, now 41, is chasing his fourth successive podium with Aston Martin in Baku this weekend.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the first of six F1 events this season with a sprint race, with a new twist.

There’s a second qualifying session as part of rule changes to discourage teams and drivers from playing it safe, and practice time has been cut to a single session.

Christian Horner reportedly called the Baku street circuit a ‘ludicrous’ choice for a sprint venue

‘Particularly with the shake-up of the whole format of the weekend, it’s probably the most exciting weekend so far this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out,’ seven-time champion Hamilton said.

‘I think it’s going to be tough for everybody, but we’re all in the same boat. What a track to be able to do it, where overtaking is possible. Great racing here.’

F1 has been on a break since the last race in Australia on April 2, the result of the Chinese Grand Prix being canceled, and several teams have brought upgraded cars to Azerbaijan.

Whether any of those is enough to challenge Red Bull’s early dominance remains to be seen.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reportedly called the Baku street circuit a ‘ludicrous’ choice for a sprint venue last month, even before the new rules were announced.

Perez also questioned the choice of Baku on Thursday, indicating that sprints should be used to liven up duller tracks.

‘Probably we need to be more selective with the races where we need to improve things,’ Perez said.

After the initial novelty when the new, shorter races made their 2021 debut in F1, some drivers and teams seemed risk-averse in the events.