Red Bull’s ace driver Max Verstappen is on the path to winning the third consecutive drivers’ championship this year after his win at the Monaco GP last weekend. Verstappen is at the top of the charts, and his team’s dominance will ensure his title contention in the coming seasons too. However, the two-time driver championship winner expressed doubts about continuing as an F1 driver after his contract ends with Red Bull in 2028.
Red Bull Racing is leading the constructor championship this season with 249 points and is also leading in the driver standings in 2023, with both their drivers, Verstappen and Perez, standing at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively. Verstappen spoke about his love for racing and stated that he wants to compete in other racing competitions, not just in F1. “I love racing; otherwise, I wouldn’t be on the simulator at home doing other kinds, but that’s the thing; I also like doing other kinds of racing, not only Formula 1.”
“I know that I will be 31 when it’s the end of my contract. At that point, I will have been in Formula 1 for a very long time, and it’s a lot of work. It’s travelling a lot, not only for the races, but in between you’re travelling to the factory, you have marketing commitments, and I’m really a person who loves to be at home. I like to be competitive and I like to win, but if you can’t fully motivate yourself to get to every race, then that’s the point you have to question yourself, “Do you really want to continue?'” Verstappen added.
Verstappen is currently in his ninth season in Formula 1, having debuted as the sport’s youngest driver at the age of 17 in 2015. He expressed his desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. “I love doing Le Mans, I love doing other 24-hour races, and I love watching the GT3 cars go around the Nordschleife.”
Verstappen has previously stated that he is not motivated by records, and the status of Red Bull’s car in 2028 will be one of the most important factors in his decision to continue racing in Formula 1.