"I just think he will continue," says Jos Verstappen as speculation over his son's future in the sport continues.

It doesn't seem that long ago that the pair were pictured, tired and emotional, after Max secured the first of his titles, albeit in highly controversial circumstances.

And while the youngster has always made it clear that he did not intend to follow Fernando Alonso's example and race into his forties, it seems odd that at 28 he is already considering retiring, at least from F1.

The reasons are many, he is unhappy with his car, unhappy with his engine, unhappy with the rules and, no doubt, unhappy with what is happening to his team, however, despite the ongoing speculation, given added credibility by the four-time world champion's own comments at Suzuka, his father believes he will continue.

The former racer's confidence comes despite the news that Max's long-time, right-hand man, Gianpiero Lambiase is heading to McLaren.

"I think things have changed," Jos told Racexpress at the TAC Rally in Tielt, part of the Belgian Rally Championship, at the weekend. "Especially after four championships, you have achieved a lot together.

"The last one is up to Max," he added, "but I just think he will continue.

"We've known it for a while," he said of Lambiase's departure "and we also knew when it was going to happen. "So we have another year and a half, let's say two years, to work with him. It is a huge opportunity for him and we understand it. We also said, you have to do it, you have to seize it with both hands. And the rest is up to Red Bull to replace him. So we'll see."

Asked if proposed tweaks to the rules might persuade Max to remain in F1, Jos said: "I think so. It looks like Formula 1 and the FIA are going to adjust the regulations after all. Look what they can do this year; that will help.

"But I think everyone, the fans, but also the drivers, are complaining bitterly," he admitted. "I think it is good for Formula 1 to get that done too. But I think they know very well what they need to do.

"As a driver, I find it less enjoyable too. Every now and then I'm watching and I turn off the television, because it interests me less. It is not the Formula 1 that Formula 1 stands for. Where so much is demanded of the driver, now it is more of an engineering competition where the driver has to lift off a lot. Where they can no longer make the difference as a driver. I think that is a shame."

Former Red Bull 'advisor', Helmut Marko believes that while Max is unhappy with the rules, it is the car that is at the root of his unease.

"The Max factor is only there when he has a car in which he has confidence," he tells APA. "That is not the case at the moment.

"The updates, especially those in Japan, took the car in the wrong direction," he added. "It got worse."

And then there's that rather large elephant in the room, if he does continue in F1, who does Max drive for?