Max Verstappen has suggested that he might retire from Formula 1 when his current contract with Red Bull expires in 2028. At 27, the three-time world champion has expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of F1, particularly the growing race calendar, which now includes 24 races and six sprint events—formats he is not particularly fond of. Verstappen’s comments about his future have fueled speculation, especially after his recent frustrations during official FIA press conferences and his on-track incidents with Lando Norris.
Verstappen stated that while he has a contract until 2028, he will be 31 at the time, which he acknowledges is still young, but given that he started his F1 career at 17, it will have been a long time in the sport. His decision to continue will depend on factors such as how enjoyable the cars are to drive after the 2026 regulations take effect, the demanding race schedule, and how much time he spends away from home. He stressed that his motivation is not based on achieving more titles but rather on enjoying his racing experience.
Verstappen emphasized that his current focus is not on proving himself further but on enjoying the sport. He’s open to seeing how the new cars perform and considering how the overall F1 experience fits into his life. He remains happy in F1 but also desires to explore other motorsports and potentially reduce the number of races he participates in. Endurance racing, such as Le Mans and Daytona, has caught his interest due to their more flexible schedules and the ability to plan personal time around races.
Verstappen has made it clear that while he has an interest in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Daytona 24 Hours, the F1 calendar makes it difficult to participate in such races. After a recent test with the Acura ARX-06 in the GTP class, his desire to compete at Daytona was reignited. However, due to the intense F1 schedule, preparing for such endurance events is currently unfeasible. He expressed that if he does decide to pursue these races in the future, he wants to be fully prepared to compete at the highest level. He remains open-minded about his future, acknowledging that although he is still young, F1 might not be his long-term focus.