Max Verstappen on his F1 future: “Everything is possible” as Verstappen hints at retirement after one last contract in F1 – Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has once again opened up about his long-term future in Formula 1, suggesting that the end of his career in the sport may be closer than many expected.
The Dutchman, known for his raw talent and aggressive driving style, has confirmed that his next contract in F1 will likely be his last, suggesting that his exit from the sport could come sooner rather than later.

Rumour: African Grand Prix coming soon
The current state of Verstappen’s career.
For the time being, Max Verstappen’s future in Formula 1 is secure, at least on paper. His current contract with Red Bull Racing, a partnership that has proven to be one of the most dominant in recent F1 history, runs through the 2028 season. However, whether or not Verstappen will see that deal through to its conclusion is still a matter of speculation.
The 27-year-old has already achieved monumental success in his career, becoming a three-time world champion and breaking several records along the way.
However, as he revealed in a recent interview, his passion for the sport may not extend far beyond his current deal with Red Bull. Speaking to ‘Sky Italia’, Verstappen revealed that the contract he signs after his current one will be the final chapter in his F1 journey.
Latest move by FIA to solve track limits
Verstappen’s future after 2028 remains a mystery.
What happens after 2028 remains a mystery, not only for fans and pundits, but also for Verstappen himself. The Dutch driver has admitted that he is unsure what the future holds after his current contract expires. While retirement from the sport seems likely, he remains non-committal about any specific plans.
“I don’t know yet what I will do after 2028,” Verstappen admitted.
“But what I can say is that my next step, if there is one, will be my last in Formula One.”
While the exact timing of his exit is still up in the air, Verstappen’s comments make it clear that he is already thinking about a life beyond Formula 1. Whether that includes staying involved in motorsport in some other capacity, or venturing into entirely new areas, remains to be seen.
Audi concerns following Renault F1 engine bailout
Could the ‘next step’ be a Red Bull extension?
Verstappen’s “next step” could very well be a contract extension with Red Bull Racing, the team that has been his home since 2016. The Dutchman has often talked about the importance of loyalty and stability, and it seems that a move away from Red Bull, or even Formula 1 altogether, would not come easily to him.
“Everything is possible at the moment,” Verstappen said, leaving the door open to various possibilities, including a contract extension with the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
However, Verstappen has also indicated that his decision-making process will not be driven solely by race performance or financial considerations.
“The future is still a long way off,” he added, suggesting that while he remains committed to F1 for now, his priorities could shift over time.
Ex-Alpine boss SLAMS French team “a disaster”
Early exit clause: A possibility?
When asked if there was a clause in his current contract that would allow for an early exit, Verstappen remained deliberately vague.
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said with a smile, further fueling speculation about his long-term plans. While Verstappen reassured fans that this is not something he is currently concerned about, it does raise the question of whether he could leave F1 before the end of the 2028 season.
For now, Verstappen insists his focus is on the present.
“Everything that awaits me in the future is still a long way off and is not an issue at the moment,” he said, signaling that his commitment to Red Bull and Formula 1 remains intact, at least for the foreseeable future.
“No Perez at Red Bull for 2025”, says Marko
Verstappen values stability over team switching
Unlike other top drivers who have changed teams multiple times throughout their careers, Verstappen has no interest in following that path. He has made it clear that a career filled with team changes is not appealing to him, contrasting his situation with that of other legendary drivers such as Fernando Alonso.
Alonso, a two-time world champion, has raced for multiple teams throughout his career, including McLaren, Ferrari, Renault and, most recently, Aston Martin.
For Verstappen, loyalty and consistency are key. “It’s very easy to change teams, but I don’t want my career to be marked by that,” he insisted.
“I don’t want to be part of four or five different teams.”
Verstappen’s comments reflect a deep-seated desire for stability, both in his professional and personal life.
“I want to feel at home. Changing teams is not my thing, it’s not something I’m interested in at this stage of my career,” he added. This sense of loyalty has clearly been a factor in his long-term relationship with Red Bull, a team that has nurtured his talent and helped him reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Verstappen: Something big on the horizon
A legacy set in stone.
Regardless of when or how Max Verstappen decides to retire, his legacy in Formula One is already set in stone. Since his debut in 2015 as the youngest driver in F1 history, Verstappen has consistently broken records and achieved remarkable success, including multiple world championships.
His aggressive style, daring overtakes, and fearless approach to racing have made him a fan favorite and one of the most dominant figures in the sport’s modern era.
However, as Verstappen himself has pointed out, there is more to life than racing. The Dutchman has previously spoken of his passion for other forms of motorsport, including endurance racing and sim racing, which could provide him with new challenges once his F1 career comes to an end.
Exceptional safety car drought this year, Alonso explains
The end of an era?
As Max Verstappen approaches the final stages of his Formula 1 career, fans and analysts alike are left wondering what the future holds for one of the sport’s brightest stars. While his immediate future with Red Bull is secure, Verstappen’s recent comments suggest that his time in F1 may not extend much beyond his current contract. Whether he decides to extend his relationship with Red Bull or leave the sport altogether, one thing is clear: Verstappen’s next move will be his last as a Formula 1 driver.
For now, Verstappen remains focused on the present, continuing to dominate the sport with the same intensity and passion that has defined his career. But as the Dutchman himself has said, “anything is possible,” and the next chapter of his life could take him in directions no one expects.
The Formula One world will be watching closely to see how Max Verstappen writes the final chapters of his storied career, both on and off the track.
READ MORE – The man who convinced Newey join Aston Martin
MORE F1 NEWS – Schumacher join Audi F1 after Bottas dispute?
Mick Schumacher’s return to Formula 1: Closer than ever with Audi for 2025 after all? The story of Mick Schumacher’s possible return to Formula 1 has taken another recent twist. The young German, son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, appears to be close to agreeing a deal with Audi (currently Sauber) for a seat in 2025.
Once thought to be out of the running for a second driver’s seat with the Swiss team, Schumacher is now back in the running, reportedly due to contractual disagreements between Sauber and their current driver, Valtteri Bottas…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
