In a stunning revelation, Max Verstappen, the two-time Formula 1 champion, has hinted that his existing contract with Red Bull might be his last in the sport.
During an interview with Sky Sports F1, the talented driver shared that he has aspirations beyond the world championship that he wants to pursue while he remains competitive.
Verstappen has not been shy about expressing his frustrations with Formula 1, particularly regarding the constant format changes and the ever-expanding calendar.
As a self-proclaimed homebody, he admits that he cannot envision a future where he spends 25 weekends a year racing. Even this year’s calendar, initially planned for 24 rounds, had to be reduced to 22 due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and unforeseen events.
Currently contracted to Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen will be 31 years old when his agreement with the team expires.
In discussing his future, he admitted, “I love racing. I mean, otherwise, I wouldn’t be on the simulator at home doing other kinds of stuff. But that’s exactly the thing. I also like to do other kinds of racing, not only Formula 1.”
Verstappen revealed his interest in participating in prestigious 24-hour sports car races like Le Mans and the Nurburgring, as well as experiencing the thrill of watching GT3 cars tear up the Nordschleife. These bucket list items have piqued his curiosity, and he doesn’t want to delay experiencing them until he’s older and past his prime performance years.
He acknowledged that Formula 1 demands a great deal of commitment, both on and off the track. The constant travel, marketing obligations, and time away from home have made him reflect on his priorities. While he loves the thrill of competition and winning, he realizes that if he cannot fully motivate himself for every race, it might be time to question whether he truly wants to continue.
Despite his desire for new experiences and potential ventures beyond Formula 1, Verstappen admits that leaving a team at its peak, like Red Bull, could prove to be an arduous decision. When asked what he would do if Red Bull continued to dominate, he replied, “I think it will be very hard to leave, for sure.”
The future for Verstappen remains uncertain, with multiple question marks surrounding his career trajectory and Red Bull’s future competitiveness. As Formula 1 gears up for the Spanish Grand Prix, set to take place on June 2-4, fans eagerly await further developments in this intriguing storyline.
One thing is clear: Max Verstappen is not only a formidable driver on the track, but he also harbours dreams beyond Formula 1, and the clock is ticking on his decision whether to continue chasing glory or explore new racing horizons.
