Verstappen hints at F1 retirement date

Ewan Gale
Wednesday 6 July 2022 11:44

Max Verstappen has suggested he could quit F1 when his Red Bull contract expires.

The reigning world champion signed a new deal with the Milton Keynes-based team ahead of the current campaign in a mega-money deal worth an estimated €40million per year.

The contract expires at the end of 2028, making it the longest existing of the 20 drivers on the grid.

Verstappen joined F1 as a 17-year-old and despite his wealth of experience to this point is only 24. When his contract runs out, the Dutchman will be 31.

In a special Heroes edition of The Red Bulletin and referring to the final year of his contract, Verstappen said: "Maybe I'll quit.

"By that time I will have been driving around in Formula 1 for a while.

"It depends a bit on whether the car is good and I'm still competing for prizes. I can't stand having to do my laps at the back. I'd rather drive in another class.

"But at the moment I wouldn't want to drive for any other team. So if you feel good and it works, why change?"

Le Mans possible during F1 career - Verstappen

Verstappen has alluded to a desire to race in other categories before, with the Le Mans 24 Hours particularly appealing.

The Red Bull driver has driven in a virtual rendition of the event and explaining his love of endurance racing, Verstappen added: “There is less pressure, more fun.

"That might even be possible during my Formula 1 career. But not this year or the next, maybe after.

"The 24-hour races seem like something to me: Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

"Or the one in Bathurst, Australia. Well, in a GT3 car. I have already won that race twice in the simulator.”