(REUTERS)

Max Verstappen said his current unhappiness has left all options on the table, including retirement once the current Formula 1 season ends.

A winner of 71 career F1 ​races, which trails only Lewis Hamilton (105) and Michael Schumacher (91) all time, Verstappen finished eighth at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion ⁠from 2021 to 2024 for Red Bull relinquished his seat at ​the top of the sport when McLaren's Lando Norris ​won ‌the title last season.

Verstappen, 29, has bemoaned ⁠recent ​technical changes to F1 cars and reiterated his disappointment Sunday, according to the BBC. New F1 engines now have a 50-50 split between electrical power and fuel combustion.

On the record as ‌critical of the changes, the Dutch driver was asked ‌if there was a chance he would walk away from his Red Bull contract that runs through the 2028 season.

"That's what I'm ​saying," said Verstappen, who finished sixth in the season- opening race at Australia, did not finish at China and had his worst finish of the season Sunday.

The F1 ​schedule now heads into a one-month pause and will return May 3 at Miami. It is widely believed that Verstappen will weigh his future before racing resumes, while ​expecting to finish out ‌the season ⁠regardless of what ‌he decides.

"Privately I'm very happy," ‌Verstappen said, according to the BBC. "You also wait for 24 races. This (season) it's 22. But normally ⁠24. And then you just think about is it worth it? ​Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?"

Verstappen is not only struggling in races; he failed to emerge from the second stage of pole qualifying Saturday ​when only the best 10 lap times move on ​to the third and final stage.