Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 07, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Editorials Formula 1

Will Verstappen Really Walk Away from F1 in 2028?

Posted by AR1 staff

Given Red Bull’s current dominance of F1 and his own driving prowess, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Max Verstappen was to get close to – or even surpass – the seven world titles won by both Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

But he’ll have to be quick, as the Dutchman has revealed that he could walk away from Formula One when his current Red Bull contract runs out in 2028.

Will Verstappen really walk away from the sport which has made his name in five years’ time at the age of only 30 when drivers like Fernando Alonso are still competitive in their 40s?

He has already reached his primary goals

Having started out on the F1 grid as a teenager, Verstappen is now something of a gnarled veteran of the sport at the sprightly age of 25.

He is coasting to a third consecutive drivers’ championship in 2023 having won four of the opening six races, with the bookmakers’ F1 odds pricing Verstappen as short as 1/18 to completely dominate the current season. His nearest rival, Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, is a princely 16/1.

A third title would bring him level with greats such as Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet, the mercurial Brazilian who is father to Verstappen’s girlfriend, Kelly. And that would bring Schumacher and Hamilton’s epic achievement that little bit closer, too.

But if Verstappen wants to match or better them, there is little room for error as he bids to retire from F1 racing in 2028.

And then? A whole world of other racing opportunities, including the Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours, would open up to him away from the confines of a Formula One contract.

The Dutchman has admitted that he finds motivation a challenge across the entirety of an F1 season, which requires a considerable commitment when you are the face of your team and the sport as a whole. “It’s travelling a lot, not only the races but in between you’re travelling to the factory, you have marketing commitments and I’m really a person who loves to be at home,” Verstappen has said.

Fernando Alonso, with whom Verstappen had a fascinating duel at the Monaco GP, has been able to balance drives in Formula One, Le Mans and other motor racing disciplines, but the current F1 champion wants to compete in other arenas while he is still young. “When I’m 31, I’m pretty sure I’m still capable of doing great things,” he said, alluding to the age he will be when his current Red Bull deal runs out.

America Awaits?

If another F1 legend has his way, Verstappen will be taking a ride in the Indy 500 sooner rather than later.

Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula One champion who has also won races in Indy cars and NASCAR, has spoken about his love for the many disciplines of motor racing and told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport that he plans to bend the ear of Verstappen to join him in broadening his horizons.

Indy 500, which has been won by former F1 drivers like Emerson Fittipaldi and Juan Pablo Montoya, would be an obvious target for Verstappen’s post-F1 activities, while Verstappen himself has previously spoken of his love for endurance racing.

But, come 2028, if he is within reach of a record eighth F1 title, would he be persuaded to remain behind the wheel for Red Bull?