Max Verstappen has reiterated his stance on his future in F1, insisting that if the sport becomes too much of a burden he will simply walk away.
Verstappen has never hidden his dislike for Formula 1’s Sprint race events, a gimmick his says that goes against the sport’s DNA and that takes the shine off Sunday’s Grand Prix which should remain in his view the center piece of the race weekend.
But the two-time F1 world champion has also taken a stand against the sport’s ever-expanding calendar that will reach a record 23 events this season and which is likely to expand to 24 next year.
Verstappen, who is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, foresees F1 possibly becoming a burden at some point, which would lead him to question his presence on the grid.
“I always said that even if there wouldn’t be any more Sprints, if we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question ‘is it worth it?’ the Red Bull charger told the media in Baku on Thursday.
“I do like racing, I like winning, I know the salary… you have a good life. But is it actually a good life? Sometimes, you get to the point of your career where you want to do other stuff.
“I am contracted to the end of 2028 and then we will review again. I do feel that if it is getting too much then it is time for a change.
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“You always have to be talking to yourself, looking at yourself – ‘are you still motivated?’ and at the moment that is definitely the case but there will for sure be a point where you want to do other stuff as well.
“Sometimes, this sounds very weird for people on the outside… ‘you’re in Formula 1, you are winning’ – I would have probably said the same when I was in their position but when you are in it, it is not always how it looks or what people think.
“Yes, it is great, it is amazing and you can do a lot of things but there is always a limit to certain things.”
Regarding F1’s Sprint events, Verstappen understands why they were introduced. But the Dutchman looks at the concept and its merits purely from the standpoint as a driver.
“I look at it from a racing point of view, F1 looks at it from a business point of view and of course, I understand the Sprint races they have are a bit more exciting,” he said.
“But then I look at it from the racing point of view and normally when you do the Sprint race then lap one is exciting, a few shunts here and there and some damage, but throughout the race you get quite a clear picture of what is happening, who is quickest, so you also have a clear view of what will happen the next day.
“That will probably take a bit of the shine away from the main event which I think should always be the special event.”
This season, six venues, staring this weekend with Baku, will hold a standalone Sprint event for the purpose of spicing up the spectacle on the track for the fans on site and those at home.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali hasn’t dismissed the possibility of making the Sprint weekend the norm as MotoGP has now done.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But sometimes what I think is right, sometimes other people don’t agree with,” replied Verstappen when asked if he thought his opinion holds weight with F1’s top brass.
“What I think as a pure race is right, when you are running a business it is sometimes different. Just a difference in opinion.”
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Verstappen confirms he could leave F1 ‘if it gets too much’ F1i.com.
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