Max Verstappen has expressed his contentment with his Formula 1 career, stating that he is “already happy” and has no intention of pursuing the seven World Championships that Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher currently hold.
The Red Bull driver, who won the past two titles, achieved a record-breaking 15 victories in the 2022 season, and currently drives a car that appears to be the class of the field, making him the hot favorite to repeat his success this year.
However, Verstappen has been candid in expressing his desire to not remain in Formula 1 as he grows older, unlike Fernando Alonso who is racing beyond the age of 40. Despite having a mega contract extension with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen is not fixated on breaking records and is focusing on the present rather than the future.
When asked if becoming a record-breaker motivates him, Verstappen responded, as per Formula1.com: “No. I’m not interested in winning seven or eight titles. If you have the car to do so, then great. But even if it doesn’t [happen], I’m happy – I’m already happy, so it’s OK!”
Max Verstappen has repeatedly discussed his plans for the future of his Formula 1 career, acknowledging that he will evaluate his options when his contract ends in 2028, which coincides with him potentially being at the peak of his powers.
However, Verstappen’s aspirations extend beyond Formula 1, as he has expressed interest in endurance racing with his father, Jos, a former F1 driver. Given his broader outlook on his career, Verstappen is taking a measured approach and has yet to disclose what he plans to do after his current contract expires, even though he is fully committed to seeing it through.
“It’s difficult to say when you’ve never had a break, right? I will always be on the grid until the end of 2028,” Verstappen said when asked if taking a sabbatical might interest him.
“I’m still very young, but I always said that I also want to do other kinds of competitions, a bit like what Fernando did.
“But also, when you have been, let’s say, winning a lot, or at least driving at the front, it needs to be also worth it to come back because, if you then come back and you don’t really have a chance of winning, it’s probably even harder to motivate yourself day in, day out, to travel all over the world and not spend time with family, friends and doing other things.”
