Martin Brundle, a pundit for Sky Sports, recently delved into the topic of Max Verstappen contemplating retirement from Formula 1.
He emphasized how Verstappen possesses a keen awareness of when to step away from the sport, acknowledging the possibility of an earlier exit than what might be conventionally anticipated.
Verstappen, in contrast to Lewis Hamilton’s enduring success into his late thirties, has expressed openness to the idea of retiring at a relatively young age.
Despite the initial season turbulence surrounding Red Bull, Verstappen showcased his prowess by securing two victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. With his dominant RB20, he appeared poised to clinch his fourth world championship in as many years.
However, the Australian Grand Prix threw a curveball as Verstappen faced an unexpected setback. Encountering a brake malfunction, his car erupted into flames, forcing him to retire from the race for the first time in two years.
In frustration, he exclaimed over the radio, “I lost the car, really weird!” as smoke billowed from the vehicle, ultimately leading him to abandon the race by entering the pits.
Verstappen’s anger was palpable as he grappled with the disappointment of cutting short his race and forfeiting crucial championship points. Venting his frustration, he was overheard expressing, “So stupid!” to one of the engineers, underscoring the extent of his dismay.
His aspiration to match his own record of 10 consecutive race victories was dashed, but intriguingly, Brundle suggests that such emotional outbursts might serve as a boon for Red Bull.
Brundle contends that Verstappen’s fiery reactions are inherent to his character, and only when he ceases to exhibit them should the team start to worry about his future prospects.
This perspective offers insight into the intricate dynamics of Verstappen’s temperament and its implications for his longevity in the sport.
“Despite his incredible run of successes Verstappen was initially very angry that his car had failed,” he wrote. “When the adrenaline washes away he has become good at managing these moods now, but if he ever loses that fiery passion in the heat of the moment you’ll know he is getting ready to retire.”
Verstappen’s unwavering dedication to both the team and the sport has been evident, particularly in light of the limited competition he has faced over the last couple of seasons. Red Bull finds solace in the fact that his fervent desire to excel on the grid remains undiminished.
However, the landscape may shift in the foreseeable future, as Verstappen has hinted at the possibility of departing from Formula 1 altogether once his existing contract expires in 2028.
When questioned about the potential impact of reducing the number of races per year on extending his career in the sport, Verstappen responded affirmatively, stating, “Absolutely.”
This acknowledgment underscores his willingness to contemplate strategic adjustments that could prolong his tenure in Formula 1.
He added: “That has to do with the quality of life in general. At a certain point, I think you’re just kind of done with it.
“The racing itself is fun, but everything around it with the travelling and with the marketing days, at a certain point, it eats away at you. Then it also doesn’t matter what you earn. In the end, it’s more about being happy with what you do.
“Those are things you don’t really enjoy as a driver, but of course you do them because it’s part of the job. But at some point, you’re done with that.”
