Max Verstappen, the dominant Red Bull driver in Formula 1, has publicly stated that he harbours no concerns about life after his racing career. He has been vocal about recent changes in Formula 1’s format and is candidly looking forward to retirement.
“It will be different, I am aware of that, but that might also be nice,” he told the Dutch magazine Formule 1.
The soon-to-be triple world champion added, “There is always a lot of pressure on you during a race weekend and that goes on year after year. Maybe it’s nice to relax and do the things you like at a certain point.”
His father, along with many others, thinks Verstappen will miss the thrill and pressure of Formula 1. However, Verstappen himself said, “A lot of people say I’m going to miss this life and the pressure it brings – my father says so too. But personally I don’t think so.”
Reflecting on his long involvement in racing, which started with karting at the age of four, Verstappen mentioned the potential of quitting even before his contract ends in 2028. “If you’ve done it a lot and for a long time, you’re a bit done with it at some point,” he said, adding, “Not yet of course, but there will come a time when enough is enough.”
While acknowledging that transitioning to post-F1 life might be a significant adjustment, he stated, “That’s right – I don’t know any better. But there are other areas where I will probably want to get the best out of myself. But when something doesn’t work out then, it won’t be a disaster. It will all be just a bit more relaxed.”
Verstappen also expressed his dissatisfaction with the expanded race calendar, which is set to include 24 grands prix in 2024. “It’s enough, yes,” he said. “It’s a lot. And it’s not just about the races, but everything around it that makes it so tough. All the marketing activities, the simulator days, the personal sponsorship obligations. You don’t have any days off left.”
He even admitted that some responsibilities feel like a chore, saying, “Yes, and I often talk about that with people around me.”
Verstappen concludes that these considerations play a role in his future decisions, which he is glad to control himself. Reflecting on his goals of becoming a world champion and winning races, he said, “Of course I’m glad that I am in the position that I can make those future decisions for myself. The goal was always to become world champion and win races – that has all worked out. I’ve said it before but everything that comes now is really just a bonus.”
