Max Verstappen Drops Major Hint About F1 Retirement Date, Reveals Ambitious Career ‘Target’ and Future Aspirations

Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has once again sparked speculation about his future in the sport, dropping significant hints about his potential retirement date while outlining ambitious career goals and aspirations beyond F1. At just 27 years old, the Red Bull superstar, contracted until 2028, has made it clear that he does not envision a long-term career in Formula 1, prioritizing quality of life, family, and new motorsport ventures. His latest comments, combined with insights from confidants and industry insiders, paint a picture of a driver already planning his exit strategy while aiming to cement his legacy.

Retirement Hints: 2028 as the Likely Endpoint

Verstappen’s current Red Bull contract, signed in 2022 and running through 2028, is one of the most lucrative in F1 history, reportedly worth €40 million annually. However, the Dutchman has consistently suggested that he may walk away from the sport when it expires, at the age of 31. In a 2024 interview with The Mirror, Verstappen reiterated this stance, stating, “Maybe I’ll quit. By that time, I will have been driving around in Formula 1 for a while. It depends a bit on whether the car is good and I’m still competing for wins. I can’t stand having to do my laps at the back.”

This sentiment was echoed in a 2023 Sports Illustrated interview, where he emphasized quality of life over a prolonged F1 career: “I don’t want to spend my best years physically just in Formula 1. With the races multiplying, 23 or 24 a year is far too many.” Verstappen’s frustration with the expanding F1 calendar, now at 24 races plus six sprints, has been a recurring theme, as has his distaste for the sport’s increasing restrictions, such as the FIA’s 2024 penalty for his use of profanity during a press conference.

Adding fuel to the retirement speculation, Verstappen’s friend and former boxer Rico Verhoeven praised his foresight in planning for life after F1. Speaking to Formule1.NL in 2024, Verhoeven said, “I think it is smart that Max is already thinking about life after F1. Because at some point it will end.” Posts on X have further amplified fan concerns, with some interpreting Verstappen’s 2024 announcement of expecting his first child with partner Kelly Piquet as a sign of an earlier exit, citing comments like, “He said it himself he don’t want kids unless he’s retiring.”

Intriguingly, BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reported in April 2025 that a Verstappen confidant suggested he might take a sabbatical in 2026 to assess the new F1 regulations before deciding his next move. While Verstappen later dismissed a 2026 sabbatical, stating he’s “never considered taking a year off,” the rumor underscores his openness to unconventional paths.

Ambitious Career Target: Five Titles and Beyond

Despite his retirement hints, Verstappen remains fiercely driven in the short term, with a clear target of securing a fifth consecutive world championship in 2025—a feat only achieved by Michael Schumacher. With 63 wins, 40 pole positions, and 112 podiums, Verstappen is already among F1’s all-time greats, and a fifth title would further solidify his legacy. In 2024, he expressed confidence in Red Bull’s ability to deliver a competitive car, telling The Times, “I’m not in a rush to decide [post-2028]. These kind of things might change in the coming years.”

Verstappen’s competitive fire is evident in his 2025 season, where he sits just eight points behind championship leader Lando Norris after four races, despite Red Bull facing stiffer competition from McLaren and Ferrari. His contract includes a performance-related exit clause, allowing him to leave if Red Bull fails to provide a car capable of fighting at the front—a condition he emphasized in 2023: “I don’t see myself spending three years in the midfield. I’d rather stay home or do something else.” Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed this clause, noting, “If we can’t provide him with a car in which he can drive at the front, that is certainly something he will consider.”

Verstappen’s ambition extends beyond titles. He has expressed a desire to maintain a “long and stable relationship” with Red Bull, avoiding the nomadic career paths of drivers like Fernando Alonso. In a 2024 Sky Italia interview, he said, “I don’t want to be part of four or five different teams. I want to feel at home somewhere.” This loyalty, however, is contingent on Red Bull’s performance, particularly with the 2026 regulation changes looming.

Future Aspirations: GT Racing and Endurance Dreams

Verstappen’s post-F1 aspirations are rooted in his passion for motorsport, with a strong focus on endurance racing and team ownership. Since 2023, he has voiced ambitions to establish his own GT3 racing team by 2025 to support emerging talent, a goal he reiterated after testing an Acura ARX-06 in 2024. He has also expressed enthusiasm for iconic endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Daytona, Spa-Francorchamps, and the 12 Hours of Sebring, citing their relaxed schedules and lower pressure compared to F1. “The one race [Le Mans] is more intense, being 24 hours, but you do have more free time, you can plan your schedule a bit more,” he told RacingNews365 in 2024.

Unlike some peers, Verstappen has ruled out IndyCar due to its risks but sees endurance racing as a viable path, potentially even during his F1 career. In 2022, he told GPFans, “The 24-hour races seem like something to me… in a GT3 car. I have already won [Bathurst] twice in the simulator.” His virtual racing success, including Le Mans and Bathurst, has fueled his interest, though F1’s packed schedule currently makes participation challenging.

Verstappen’s family-oriented goals also shape his future. The announcement of his first child, expected in 2025, has led him to prioritize personal time, with fans on X speculating that fatherhood could hasten his exit. He has cited watching his children grow up as a key motivator, telling The Sun in 2022, “I want to also do other stuff… I don’t see myself driving until I’m 40.”

Industry Perspectives and Red Bull’s Stance

Verstappen’s retirement talk has drawn varied reactions. Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg, who retired at 31 after his 2016 title, empathized with Verstappen’s mindset, telling PlanetF1 in 2025, “The intensity leaves a mark on you, both mentally and physically.” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner remains confident in Verstappen’s commitment, stating in December 2024, “At no point did I have any concerns that [Verstappen] wanted to leave.” However, interest from Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Aston Martin, fueled by a reported $1 billion offer, highlights Verstappen’s marketability.

David Coulthard, a former Red Bull driver, predicted in 2024 that Verstappen’s exit would come “sooner rather than later” but argued F1’s appeal would endure, citing its resilience after Ayrton Senna’s death. Sky Sports’ David Croft suggested Verstappen might retire before joining another team, noting, “There are other priorities in Max Verstappen’s life and not just going out and winning races.”

Looking Ahead: A Legacy in Transition

As Verstappen approaches his 200th F1 race in 2025, he remains a dominant force, with the potential to surpass records held by legends like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Yet his candid remarks about retirement, paired with his GT racing ambitions and family priorities, suggest a driver already envisioning life beyond F1’s relentless grind. Whether he exits in 2028 or earlier, Verstappen’s focus on quality of life and new challenges ensures his legacy will extend far beyond the racetrack.