F1 News: Polarizing Driver Max Verstappen Sends Red Bull A Warning Of Retirement: "I Already Have A Lot Of Plans"
When it comes to Formula 1 success, Red Bull Racing is at the top of their game right now. And while Adrian Newey's RB18 and RB19 are a huge factor in this, a lot of that success can be credited to the young Dutch sensation, Max Verstappen. But is his time in the racing world coming to an end? There have been whispers for months now, and his latest comments have only added fuel to the fire.
Verstappen recently hinted that his current deal with Red Bull could be his last, sending shockwaves throughout the racing community. And who can blame him? He's already achieved so much in his career, and at just 25 years old, he's got a lot of life left to live.
Winning a world championship at such a young age begs the question of whether Verstappen needs to continue in the sport. He's already got his sights set on other pursuits, like sim racing and endurance racing, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his radar.
With his current contract expiring at the end of 2028, Verstappen may walk away from the racing world altogether. In fact, when asked about his retirement plans, he confirmed, "Yes, I am seriously thinking about it." It's a decision that could change the game for Red Bull Racing and the world of Formula 1.
Despite his love for the sport and his position at the top of the game, Verstappen feels that the number of races is maybe becoming too much to handle.
”I know I’m very lucky to drive a Formula 1 car. I can do what I want, but at some point it doesn’t matter.
"I already have a lot of plans for what I want to do. It’s also about quality of life. There are other things in life besides Formula 1. I have a contract until 2028 and after that I’ll see.
"I don’t want to spend my best years physically just in Formula 1. With the races multiplying, 23 or 24 a year is far too many.”
With his record-breaking accomplishments, it's hard to imagine what's left for Verstappen to achieve in Formula 1, except maybe breaking the record for the most championships won.
The F1 world will be on the edge of their seats when the time comes, but for now, the rest of the 2023 season awaits.