F1 News: Max Verstappen Warns Of Retirement - "Will No Longer Be There"

Max Verstappen has announced his plans to retire from Formula One within the next decade

Max Verstappen, the three-time Formula One world champion, has candidly spoken about his retirement plans, asserting that he will not follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton by racing into his late 30s. In a recent interview, Verstappen highlighted his intent to exit the sport within the next decade.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unwavering Retirement Plan: Verstappen, currently 26, has firmly stated that he will retire from Formula One in 10 years, choosing not to emulate Hamilton's career longevity.
2. Dominant Performance and Future Goals: After clinching his third World Championship and outperforming teammate Sergio Perez, Verstappen acknowledges the challenge of surpassing the record titles held by Hamilton and Schumacher.
3. Reflecting on His Journey and Looking Ahead: While appreciative of past duels with Hamilton, Verstappen is now focused on his team's success and future challenges, especially with Red Bull's ongoing development and the impending shift in engine suppliers.

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Max Verstappen, the Dutch sensation of Formula One, has recently shed light on his future in the sport. At the young age of 26, he has already achieved significant milestones, including winning his third consecutive world championship, marking a remarkably dominant year for Red Bull. His 2023 performance was particularly noteworthy, with an astonishing 19 wins out of 22 races, firmly establishing him as one of the greatest drivers of the sport.

Despite being four titles behind legends Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, Verstappen's plans do not include chasing records into his late 30s. In an interview with the German media outlet Blick, he made it clear that he sees his involvement in Formula One ending in the next decade. 

Verstappen expressed his thoughts on the future of the sport, foreseeing significant changes, particularly in terms of sustainability.

"The gas will probably be gone. But our sport is already becoming greener and more sustainable. Only one thing is certain: Max Verstappen will no longer be there!"

Reflecting on his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen shared that while he valued their past duels, he currently relishes the team's collective triumphs more. His focus is firmly set on the present and immediate future.

"It will be very difficult to have a season like that again," he admitted. "Okay, you can always do better. But there is a limit somewhere.

"And our rivals will certainly not rest until they can beat us. The Red Bull RB19 is now history - let's hope the new car is even better!"

His contract with Red Bull extends until the end of the 2028 season, during which he aims to maintain the team's current competitiveness.