Max Verstappen has hinted that he won’t spend too many years in Formula 1, admitting that he is keen to try other forms of racing.
Verstappen joined the F1 grid in 2015 at 17 years of age with Toro Rosso, before being promoted to Red Bull in the early stages of the 2016 season.
The Dutchman has won back-to-back F1 titles in 2021 and 2022, and already has over 30 grand prix wins to his name at just 24 years old.
Last year, Verstappen penned a long-term extension with Red Bull, tying him to the energy drink-backed squad until 2028.
It means that Verstappen will be 31 when his current deal expires, and he suggested that he might then choose to walk away from F1.
“I don’t see myself driving until I’m 40 because I want to also do other stuff,” Verstappen said.
“I’m having a lot of fun with what I’m doing right now and I’m still in F1 for a couple more years… I’m signed until ’28.
“After that, it also depends how everything is going but I will probably try to do a few different kinds of racing because it’s important also to try different things.”
Two-time F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen has suggested that Verstappen will switch F1 teams before he departs the series.
Verstappen claimed his second F1 title last time out at the Japanese Grand Prix, following a year in which he has been dominant.
The season greatly differed from his 2021 campaign, when he was locked in a close battle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton throughout the season.
“Very different emotions, of course,” Verstappen said when comparing his two title successes. “But also, that’s because of the whole season anyway being very different.
“And you’re already starting with completely different cars, completely different way of racing. And then, of course, also, the amount of races we’ve won.
“But also they all came in quite a different way. Like, last year it was all really qualifying dependent, and that’s how you would normally win a race.
“Now, even with some engine penalties, it was coming back to the front, it’s really been an enjoyable year. And of course, a very special year, which will be very hard, I think, in the future to match from myself, I think as well.
“That’s why I think we really have to appreciate it and really enjoy it. We were enjoying it already, probably now we can just enjoy it a little bit more.”
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