Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion of Formula One, is set on a path to attain his third title this season. With already 255 points to his name, the Dutch driver is leading the drivers’ standings by nearly a hundred points. However, all these glory and achievements do not seem to please Verstappen to a large extent.
Formula One is continuously evolving in a bid to expand its global viewership. With a new sprint format and an extended calendar in 2024, F1 will witness a new level of competitiveness. However, this constant evolution is not something Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is enjoying. He had previously threatened early retirement owing to fatigue caused due to constant format changes. Now, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has shared his doubts about Verstappen’s future with the team as well as the sport.
Helmut Marko Raises Doubt On Max Verstappen Adhering To His Contract With Red Bull
Max Verstappen is extremely vocal when it comes to expressing his thoughts. He was one among the few personnel who strongly opposed the idea of a new sprint format. Moreover, when F1 announced an extended calendar for the 2024 season, the Dutchman once again raised his voice against it. He said it’s not ideal for him as he cannot travel so much in a single season. Verstappen once again shifted focus back to the driver’s mental and physical well-being. This statement has once again fueled the Dutch driver’s early retirement rumors. During the sprint race format debate, the Red Bull driver sparked a row by saying that if F1 continues to tweak formats in the future, he does not see himself being on the track for long.
Meanwhile, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has raised his doubts about the Dutch driver’s future. He said that Max Verstappen isn’t someone who says things just like that. He meant when he said that he was contemplating early retirement. While the reigning driver champion has promised to serve his current contract with Red Bull which extends till 2028, Marko isn’t too convinced. He said that while he hopes Verstappen to stay till 2028, one can never predict the driver’s next move. He could very well come up one day and say that he is done racing. Verstappen’s current contract has made him the highest-paid driver on the grid. Moreover, he is in his prime right now and has so much potential left. All things considered, it is highly unlikely that the Red Bull driver will abandon his current contract mid-way.
Verstappen Isn’t Interested In Chasing Record, Says, Have Better Things To Do In Life
Max Verstappen is on his way to attaining his third driver’s championship title. He has a gigantic lead which could earn him the title even before the season ends. The 25-year-old has a whole career lying ahead of him and looks poised to break Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s joint world record on winning the most number of drivers title. However, these kinds of personal accolades are not something that excites the Dutch driver.
In an interview, Max Verstappen said that he does not want to keep racing all his life. He intends to stay in F1 for a limited number of years. If he is able to secure the record by then, it’s well and good. Otherwise, he is least bothered. According to Verstappen, there is so much more to life than racing. He wants to explore a lot of opportunities and have a life outside the paddock. He does not wish to restrict himself to just racing.