Max Verstappen says he’s unsure whether or not he’ll stay in Formula 1 after his present Red Bull contract expires in 2028; the Dutchman is the favorite to win a 3rd successive drivers’ title this season; watch the Azerbaijan GP qualifying dwell on Friday at 2pm
Last Updated: 27/04/23 3:58pm
Max Verstappen is chasing a 3rd successive F1 world championship
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has reiterated his doubts over remaining within the sport past the expiration of his present Red Bull contract in 2028.
Verstappen is the clear favorite to win a 3rd successive drivers’ title after making a robust begin to the 2023 season, however just lately urged that modifications to the game – notably the introduction of extra Sprint races – may lead him to exit sooner reasonably than later.
Since Verstappen made these feedback in March, a brand new Sprint weekend format has been launched that can debut at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, dwell on Sky Sports F1.
Asked how that growth had impacted his mindset, Verstappen urged that it is not simply Sprint races, however a number of different elements, most notably a 23-race calendar which is predicted to develop within the future.
“I have to be careful what I say now,” Verstappen instructed reporters in Baku on Thursday. “I’ve always said anyway that even if there weren’t any more sprint races, but if we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question yourself ‘is it worth it?’
Max Verstappen admits he is not a big fan of the Sprint format and is not convinced that the new format will have a significant impact
“I do like racing, I do like successful. I do know that in fact the wage and every part, you’ve got a superb life, however is it truly a superb life? I believe generally you get to some extent in your profession the place perhaps you need to do different stuff.
“I know that I have a contract until the end of 2028, and then we’ll review again. But I do feel that if it’s getting at one point too much, then it’s time for a change. I think you always have to be talking to yourself and looking at yourself [asking] ‘are you still very motivated and do you love what you do?’
“At the second, that’s undoubtedly the case, however there’ll for positive be some extent the place you need to do perhaps different stuff as effectively.”
‘Lots of people will struggle’ with growing F1 schedule
Verstappen came out on top in a thrilling battle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden title in 2021, before dominating to retain the drivers’ crown in 2022 with a record 15 race victories.
Red Bull appear primed for more success with their RB19 the class of the 2023 field, and the team’s stunning early-season pace has many wondering whether their rivals will be able to catch up before the introduction of new engine regulations in 2026.
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Verstappen said: “Sometimes, this sounds very bizarre for individuals from the skin, as a result of they’re like, ‘oh, yeah, you are in Formula 1, you are successful!’ And in all probability I might have stated the identical once I was of their place, however when you’re in it, it is not all the time the way it appears like or how individuals assume your life is, proper?
“I mean, yes, it’s great. I mean it’s amazing, I can do a lot of things. I’m very independent, but there is always a limit to certain things.
“I believe each particular person is a bit completely different. It additionally relies upon a bit what you need out of your life, proper? Some individuals simply love racing, and that is the one factor they know or the one factor they need to do. I’m in all probability a bit extra within the center. I imply, I do love racing however I additionally need to do different form of racing and then you’ll be able to’t mix the 2, or arrange other forms of stuff.
“I think when you do that amount of races, not only drivers, but also staff and the team, it’s a lot of people who will struggle with that.”
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The mixture of Verstappen’s brilliance on the wheel and Red Bull’s dominance has led to hypothesis as as to if the Dutchman might go on to match and exceed the file of seven world championships held by Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
Asked whether or not turning into the game’s ‘biggest’ driver motivates him, Verstappen replied: “No, I’m not interested in winning seven or eight titles.
“I imply, you probably have the automobile to take action, then nice. But even when it would not, I’m already comfortable, so it is okay.”
The Formula 1 season resumes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from April 28-30, with the primary Sprint weekend of 2023 proven in full dwell on Sky Sports F1. Watch Saturday’s Sprint at 2:30pm and Sunday’s race at 12pm. Get Sky Sports
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