Max Verstappen has never really been one to throw tantrums, but he's also never been particularly good at hiding what he really thinks. cage? Sometimes. But when something is really bothering her, it comes out — usually into a press conference microphone, usually without much filter.
But last week on the podcast? he went there.
Appearing on the Up to Speed podcast, Verstappen again hinted that he may not be long for the F1 world.
Verstappen said, "I just want to live my life, you know, you basically only live once, and I don't think I want to spend 25 years of my life sitting in a car. I want to enjoy what's out there."
Is Verstappen frustrated with new F1 regulations?
You don't hear that from drivers often. Especially not from the 28-year-old, four-time Formula 1 World Champion. Max saying that the new rules for 2026 give him no reason to remain in F1 is a great quote.
2026 cars are built around heavy reliance on hybrid power. F1 is also introducing active aerodynamics, meaning parts of the car's bodywork will physically move to reduce drag on straight lines and improve efficiency. The goal is a clean, green car. Whether it's more exciting, this is what Verstappen is debating about.
"I would say the new rules are not helping my F1 career forward, but it doesn't matter, I'm happy with my trajectory, I can easily leave this behind, I have other projects," Verstappen added.
The idea of Max Verstappen retiring from F1 is a difficult concept to wrap one's mind around, especially when one considers the fact that he has been in the sport since the age of 17.
In any case, he is currently contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2028, and plans to start closer to the end of his F1 career when he turns 31.
Verstappen still has his lead but that's not the point
Not that Max Verstappen is tired of losing – after all, he hasn't lost much recently.
Instead, he is now saying he wants to spend more time with his partner Kelly and their young daughter Lily. He will also continue to run his GT3 team at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and is considering a trip to Le Mans.
This all seems perfectly reasonable.
He's still a big fan of racing, but he's not as fully committed as drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Like both of them, he doesn't want to drive an F1 car even at the age of 40.
“Who cares at age 60 or 70 if you win four or 10 titles?” Verstappen said. "I'm getting older and I want to spend more time with my family."
So there you have it. He had suggested the end of his current deal in 2022. And now, with his glasses still fogged up from this weekend's ski trip to the mountains, he's officially proposed.
Despite hints of it in previous years, you get the sense that this time, Verstappen is very serious.
Will he run in 2028? I doubt it. However, many drivers have said exactly the same thing to the media in the past, only to sign a new deal before even completing the sentence. The fact that one of the greatest drivers in F1 history believes things can't go on "indefinitely" is music to the ears of the rival team currently blocking their shot at a third consecutive championship.
If you're relatively new to F1, enjoy Max until it's over. This could be an F1 career that ends sooner than many of us imagine.
