Max Verstappen: “I might stop in 2028”

Max Verstappen did he sign the last contract of his career, last March, in F1 ? Last spring, the 2021 world champion had extended his contract with Red Bull until 2028, with a very significant salary increase. And after? In an interview with The Telegraph, the Dutchman does not rule out the possibility of leaving Formula 1 at the end of his contract. “ Maybe I'll stop in 2028“, summarizes Max Verstappen. In 2028, the pilot Red Bull will compete in his 14th season in F1. Max Verstappen began his career at just 17 years old, with Toro Rosso in 2015, breaking precocity records which will never be beaten again following a new FIA rule setting an age limit of 18 to compete in the premier category. “ At that point, I would have been in F1 for quite a while. But it also depends on whether I will have a competitive car and whether I can fight for titles. I can't stand driving with my foot up, I would still rather drive in another series. » Like the contracts signed in F1, Max Verstappen's contract includes exit clauses if, for example, Red Bull does not provide him with a car competitive. However, the Batavian cannot imagine, for the moment, driving for any other team than that of Milton Keynes. “ Today, I have absolutely no desire to drive for another team. If I feel good with Red Bull and it works, why change?« 

An interest in Endurance

If Max Verstappen cuts ties with F1 in 2028, what will the career of the driver who will then only be 31 look like? In its edition Heroes, which dedicates to him the Red Bulletin, Max Verstappen declared himself very interested in a retraining in the world ofEndurance. " There's less pressure, more fun. Participating in an Endurance race could even be possible at the same time as my F1 career. But it won't be for this season or the one after that, but maybe after. 24 Hour races, like Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, Daytona, or the 12 Hours of Sebring speak to me. On a simulator, I have already won the Bathurst 1000 km (Australia) twice.« 

In any case, unlike his father Jos, Max Verstappen does not really appreciate the rally and does not plan to ride there competitively. “ I like to get in a rally car from time to time for fun, but never in competition. I find it too dangerous, and driving with a co-driver doesn't please me. I prefer to be alone.«