Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has dismissed Max Verstappen's suggestion that new F1 regulations could influence the Dutch driver's future in the sport.
The four-time champion has been a vocal critic of the sweeping changes to F1 regulations for 2026, calling the cars, which rely more on electrical power than before, “no fun” to drive and likening them to all-electric series Formula E “on steroids”.
In comments on an episode of the “Up to Speed” podcast released Thursday, Verstappen also said the regulations wouldn't help the “longevity” of his career.
“I met yesterday Max, because as you know Max is incredible and he has a way of saying something that could be sometimes interpreted in a certain way,” Domenicali told reporters during preseason testing in Bahrain on Thursday.
“I guarantee to you that Max wants (to) and does care about Formula 1 more than anyone else. He has a way of putting the point that he wants to say in a certain way, but we had a very constructive meeting.”
Domenicali added: “My style is always to be very prudent and try to solve the things internally, as it should be, because we don’t have to highlight things that actually are not in the interest of the fan. And we know that Max will be part of the future of Formula 1, and of course it’s very important that we listen to him, and as we are listening to all the top drivers that are very important in this sport.”
Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 at the age of 17, making him the youngest driver in the history of the sport, and has publicly mused over potential retirement before.
When he made his 200th career race start in 2024, Verstappen said he believed he was closer to the end of his career than the start. He's known for his enthusiasm for other racing series and made his debut in endurance sportscar racing in Germany last year.
In the podcast episode released Thursday, the 28-year-old Dutch driver was asked about how close he might be to retirement from F1.
“Definitely closer to the end, that's for sure. Honestly, it's a tough one. I would say of course the current regulations are not helping the longevity of my career in Formula 1, let's say like that,” Verstappen said.
“I'm very happy with my career anyway already in Formula 1. I can easily leave it behind. I have a lot of other projects.”
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FILE - F1 chairman Stefano Domenicali speaks during a news conference at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands waits in his car on the third day of Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands looks on as mechanics prepare his car during the third day of Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
MILAN (AP) — A last Olympic goal for Hilary Knight, a gold medal-winning overtime one for Megan Keller, and the Americans cemented their reputation as one of the most dominant women’s hockey teams to take the ice.
After romping through their first six outings at the Milan Cortina Games, the U.S. overcame the final test by rallying to beat Canada and earn its third gold medal with a 2-1 win Thursday night.
“This team’s got so much resolve. Never quit. Always ready to fight and go to battle,” Knight said. “It’s just a testament to the preparation of our group and the love that we have in that room, and the way we found a way to get the job done at the end of the night.”
Knight, appearing in her fifth and final Olympics, forced overtime by tipping in Laila Edwards’ shot with 2:04 left in regulation — and with goalie Aerin Frankel pulled for an extra attacker. The goal was her 15th and 33rd point of her Olympic career, setting U.S. records for both categories.
The sides were playing 3-on-3 to finish a game where fans alternated chants of “USA! and “Ca-na-da!” Keller secured the win on a backhander 4:07 into overtime, breaking up the left wing and pushing past Claire Thompson, driving to the net and beating Ann-Renee Desbiens over her right pad to spark an emotional and teary-eyed celebration.
“I’m lost for words,” Keller said. “This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special.”
Frankel stopped 30 shots.
Kristin O’Neill scored a short-handed goal for Canada and Desbiens finished with 31 saves.
Canada pushed the U.S. to the brink just nine days after it was beaten 5-0 by the Americans in the preliminary round.
O’Neill’s goal 54 seconds into the second period ended the Americans’ shutout streak of 5 hours, 52 minutes and 17 seconds, dating to the second period of a 5-1 opening win over Czechia. The U.S. had not trailed in the tournament.
“We went through ups and downs,” Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin said. “Just letting them know this does not define them. I’m proud of them. They showed up. Sadly lost in overtime but keep their head high because it’s truly an honor to be on their side.”
A fierce rivalry that began with the U.S. beating Canada to win gold at the 1998 Nagano Games — the first to feature women’s hockey — continued living up to its billing.
The U.S. also won gold in 2018 in Pyeongchang, while Canada has won the other five gold medals, and settled for its third silver.
This year’s final marked the seventh of 12 Olympic meetings between the two nations to be decided by one goal and the third to go past regulation. And counting world championship play, the U.S. evened its record to 25-25 against Canada.
“We got this,” Edwards said, referring to the message delivered during intermission before overtime.
And they did.
A team featuring a mix of experience and talented and speedy youth delivered on the vision coach John Wroblewski instilled upon taking over four years ago, months after the U.S. lost the gold-medal game to Canada in Beijing.
“In my opinion, I think this is the best hockey team women’s hockey has ever seen,” Kelly Pannek said, noting how the Americans overcame adversity against their fiercest rival.
“I think that’s a part of being a champion, right?” Pannek said. “We knew they were going to respond in the way that they do. And they gave us everything.”
Although the final couldn’t have been closer, the Americans were dominant in Milan, going 7-0 and outscoring their opponents by a combined 33-2.
For then defending Olympic champion Canadians, this was considered a last hurrah for their aging core led by Poulin, aka “Captain Clutch”
The 34-year-old Poulin, who missed two games with a right knee injury, declined to discuss her Olympic future.
Meantime, many of her teammates were devastated by the result.
“It’s hard to process right now,” 37-year-old defender Jocelyne Larocque said. “We always had the belief that we could win. I love this group. I love this team. I’m proud of everyone.”
Canada overcame questions about its age and recent sluggish performances by outshooting the U.S. 8-6 in the first period and then taking the lead with O’Neill converting Laura Stacey’s pass on a 2-on-1 break. The Canadians kept pressing their attack and had several chances in overtime.
A minute before Keller’s goal, Sarah Fillier moved up the right wing only to have her shot stopped by Frankel, with the puck landing in the crease.
“It’s overtime. First goal wins. You’ve got to bury it when you have the chance,” Filler said. “It’s tough. You want to win a gold medal with that group. It’s a special group, a lot of veterans.”
The Americans extended their winning streak against Canada to eight. It began with two wins at the world championships in April, including the gold medal game. The U.S. then swept a four-game exhibition series by a combined margin of 26-7.
Earlier, Alina Muller scored 9:09 into overtime for her second bronze-medal clinching goal in Switzerland's 2-1 win over Sweden 2-1. Muller also scored Switzerland's decisive goal in a 4-3 win over Sweden in 2014.
AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
United States' players celebrate after a women's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Team United States players celebrate after beating Canada 2-1 in overtime in the women's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Canada's Kristin O'Neill (43) celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal during a women's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
United States' Megan Keller celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Canada during the overtime period of the women's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
United States' Megan Keller (5) celebrates scoring the winning goal during a women's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
United States' Megan Keller (5) scores past Canada's Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) during a women's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
United States' Megan Keller celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Canada during the overtime period of the women's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Canada's Kristin O'Neill (43) scores her side's opening goal during a women's ice hockey gold medal game between the United States and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (David W Cerny/Pool Photo via AP)
United States' Hilary Knight, center, celebrates after scoring a goal against Canada during the third period of the women's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Canada players celebrate victory at the end of a women's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
US players celebrate at the end of a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between USA and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
