BREAKING: Max Verstappen makes final decision on leaving Red Bull and shares retirement plans
Max Verstappen has once again suggested that his current contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028, could mark the end of his Formula 1 career, citing a mix of personal and professional factors.
Speaking to Road & Track, Verstappen shared his thoughts on the long-term demands of F1:
“At the moment, I have a contract until [2028]. I’ll be 31 years old at the end of it. Of course, that is still very young, but I started when I was 17. That’s a long time in Formula 1.”
“For me, it depends on how the new cars will be to drive from ’26 onwards. Are they enjoyable to drive? The amount of races, how much you’re away from home. It’s demanding.”
Verstappen expressed a lack of desire to chase records, focusing instead on enjoying his career:
“For me, it’s not that I have to stick around and try to prove myself. I don’t have this desire to win eight or nine titles.”
“I’m very open-minded at the moment. I want to enjoy it and, of course, I want to do well. I want to win. It’s also about enjoying what you’re doing.”
As a motorsport enthusiast, Verstappen is eyeing other opportunities, such as Le Mans and the Daytona 24 Hours:
“I also want to do other stuff, and at one point, I want to do fewer races. The one race [Le Mans] is more intense, being 24 hours, but you do have more free time, you can plan your schedule a bit more.”
After testing an Acura ARX-06 GTP car, Verstappen reiterated his desire to compete in endurance racing but acknowledged the current F1 schedule makes it impossible:
“With such a busy F1 schedule, it’s almost impossible because we finish so late in the season. To properly prepare before you head to Daytona, it’s pretty impossible.”
“When I want to do it, I want to go there and try to win it, be really competitive. Which is not possible at the moment, but who knows? Maybe in a few years’ time.”
Verstappen remains focused on F1 for now but hinted that his future in motorsport could involve more freedom and variety.