Max Verstappen repeated a pledge once made by Lewis Hamilton as he vowed to quit Formula 1 before he turns 40.
As a double champion at the age of 25, Verstappen looks well placed to trouble every F1 record there is. But he has made it clear on many occasions in recent times that he might not remain in the sport long enough to do so.
Speaking once again about his F1 future, the Red Bull racer showed that his mind has not changed on that subject. In an interview with Dutch newspaper De Limburger, the topic came up when he was asked about F1's plans to hold a record number of races next season.
Verstappen replied: "I have often indicated that this is too much and the main reason that I will not continue to do this until I turn 40. Traveling a lot and stuff, that's just not healthy.
"I still really like it now, but you have to give up a lot for it. That sounds crazy because driving Formula 1 is of course a dream for many people, but it really is. You are very far away from home and from the people you love. There comes a time when you are done with that."
His F1 rival Hamilton, who hold many of those F1 records Verstappen could one day threaten, previously said something similar. He made it clear he did not want to still be racing in F1 beyond his 40th birthday, but even despite a poor year for Mercedes in 2022 the Brit has since changed his tune.
Hamilton's current contract expires at the end of 2023, shortly before his 39th birthday. But he plans to sign an extension, and team boss Toto Wolff has also confirmed that talks will be held this winter – the Austrian hopes the seven-time world champion will remain with the team for many years to come.
Verstappen's F1 deal keeps him with Red Bull until 2028, the year in which he will turn 31. Even though that would be a young age at which to retire, the Dutchman has hinted heavily that there is a good chance he will not sign another F1 contract after his current one expires.
Questioned on fans' concerns about that, the Dutchman added: "But that is really true. Then when I'm done with it, I'll stop. It's that simple. But for the same money [if] I still enjoy it I will continue for another year or two as a Formula 1 driver. I will really keep racing, but then I will do other things."
