Three-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has revealed that he could retire early from the world of land jet racing when his contract at the Red Bull team ends in 2028.
“I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028. After that, first of all, I want to see whether I want to continue (a career in F1 racing),” said Verstappen, reported by AFP, Saturday (6/4).
“For me, that is the most important thing, not just about ‘where’ (I will change teams). Things like this I don’t think too much about at the moment,” he added.
However, the Dutch racer admitted that he was happy to have had three great seasons with Red Bull. He has won the first two grands prix of the season, although he has endured off-track friction during his weeks with the team.
Previously, Verstappen said, on the sidelines of the Saudi Arabian GP, last month, that he would consider leaving if the team parted ways with his long-term mentor, Helmut Marko.
This follows claims by his father, Jos, that Red Bull would be ‘divided’ if Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner remained in his position, after being involved in a scandal involving harassment of female employees at the team.
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“I’m very happy with where I’m at, and we want to stay that way,” said Verstappen, when asked if he would stay with the team next year.
However, the 26-year-old racer did not deny that he felt unsure when talking about his post-Red Bull future.
Verstappen arrived in Japan after failing to finish a race for the first time in two years, at the Australian GP, two weeks ago.
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He DNFed in Melbourne after brake problems caused smoke to billow from his car. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) took advantage of this opportunity and won.
Verstappen said he was not worried about his car at Suzuka, where he has won the past two years and will claim his second world title in 2022.
“If you look at Melbourne in terms of performance, I think we are going fast,” he said.
“We didn’t finish the race, and that’s not ideal. However, our car likes high-speed corners (like at the Suzuka Circuit), so hopefully we can show that again this weekend,” concluded Verstappen. (Ant/Z-1)
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