Verstappen exclusive: I’m not here to win seven titles or race until I’m 40…
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Thus far in the 2023 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have demonstrated their overwhelming superiority. However, as the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix approaches, the main topic of conversation in the paddock is Lewis Hamilton, his previous and possibly future title adversary.
Verstappen is 13 years younger than Hamilton, who has long denied that he will continue to compete in Formula 1 season after season and expressed doubt that he would be racing into his forties. However, he inked a new Mercedes contract ahead of this weekend’s race, meaning he would continue to race after turning 40.
Verstappen now states that he has no intention of staying in Formula One for nearly as long as Hamilton or his fellow multiple champion Fernando Alonso, who is now competing at the age of 42. “No, no, no,” the Red Bull model grinned. “No desire.”
Speaking exclusively to RaceFans in the Red Bull Energy Station at Monza before of the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen expressed that he could not see himself competing in Formula One for two decades in a row.
Speaking exclusively to RaceFans in the Red Bull Energy Station at Monza before of the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen expressed that he could not see himself competing in Formula One for two decades in a row.
Verstappen and his grandmother commemorated his tenth consecutive victory.
“No, I already know what I want to do outside of Formula 1,” he replies. It’s a major passion of mine, and I also want to see it through.
There will be some who doubt that assertion. As of right now, Verstappen is the driver with the longest contract on the grid. After winning his maiden championship two years prior, he signed a long-term contract that will keep him with Red Bull through 2028.
However, since then, he has made it clear on multiple occasions that he is unhappy with a number of aspects of contemporary Formula One, most notably the increasing amount of travel required, the move from permanent to street tracks, and the implementation of the sprint race style. Verstappen counters that his priorities come through more in these remarks than they do F1.
Sincerely, it’s just how I view my life; it’s not really a threat, he says.
“I started racing when I was four years old, and eventually I had had enough. It doesn’t matter to me if I win seven, eight, or nine crowns. At the end of the day, everything is always the same after you’ve won it. “I already have a lot of plans outside of Formula 1,” the driver said. It’s not like my life revolves on Formula One; this is just what I do. And for that reason, I believe I can do other things and travel less at the same time. Because sometime enough is enough.
The world champion hasn’t lost since the Miami Grand Prix.
There are expected to be a record-breaking 24 events on the 2024 Formula One calendar. Although the CEO of the series, Stefano Domenicali, has stated that it won’t go any higher, the second Concorde Agreement, which goes into effect in 2026, may raise the cap. According to Verstappen, the schedule already has too many races. “I already don’t like traveling the way we do it,” he declares.
It would be quite difficult, of course, to leave a winning team. I am aware that my contract is valid till 28. But now that I’m 31, I might want to pursue other interests. I am aware that I am still quite competitive at 31.
Verstappen claims that even though he is the clear favorite to win every race this year, he doesn’t approach the idea of competing each weekend with a sense of excitement. “Actually, not at all,” he replies. “I also love spending time at home. However, I also know when to turn back on, show up, and be prepared to perform.
- “I already know what I want to accomplish outside of Formula 1,” the speaker said.
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