Verstappen admits he seriously considered retiring from Formula 1 before Red Bull contract extension – Max Verstappen has revealed that he seriously considered walking away from Formula 1 before deciding to extend his Red Bull contract, admitting that retirement was at one point a more likely option than switching teams.
The four-time world champion made the revelation in an interview with Bild am Sonntag, explaining that his frustration with Formula 1 had become serious enough for him to contemplate ending his career altogether.
“I seriously considered quitting,” Verstappen said. “But ultimately, I love racing.”
The 28-year-old’s comments provide further insight into the thinking behind his decision to remain with Red Bull. Verstappen ultimately committed his future to the team before the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, despite having previously held discussions with rival teams.
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Verstappen was closer to retirement than a transfer
Verstappen had been repeatedly linked with a potential move away from Red Bull during a period of uncertainty over his future.
However, when he eventually signed his new contract, he made clear that a move to another team was not necessarily his preferred alternative.
“I was closer to quitting than to switching,” Verstappen said when discussing his decision.
His previous Red Bull contract was already understood to run until the end of 2028, meaning his decision to commit further to the team represented a significant statement about his long-term intentions.
The Dutchman’s comments also indicate that his conversations with other teams did not automatically mean a transfer was imminent. Retirement was a genuine possibility during the period when his future was being assessed.
2026 regulations have frustrated Verstappen
One of the biggest factors behind Verstappen’s uncertainty has been the new generation of Formula 1 cars introduced for the 2026 season.
The regulations have placed significantly greater emphasis on electrical power and battery deployment, while Red Bull has also faced challenges getting its latest car to consistently deliver the performance Verstappen expects.
The result has been a difficult campaign for the Dutchman, who has been unable to establish himself as a central contender in the 2026 championship fight.
“It would obviously be even more fun if I won every weekend, but the car simply isn’t capable of that at the moment,” Verstappen explained.
“That’s okay, because we’re on the right track and we’re a good team.”
Despite the frustrations, Verstappen’s comments suggest that his faith in Red Bull’s ability to recover has ultimately played an important role in his decision to stay.
Verstappen dismisses criticism over new contract
The decision to extend his Red Bull commitment also prompted speculation that financial considerations had played a major role.
Verstappen, however, was dismissive when asked about suggestions that he had signed the new agreement primarily to secure an improved salary.
“Nothing at all. Because I don’t care what others think about me,” he replied.
The response is consistent with Verstappen’s approach throughout his Formula 1 career, with the Dutchman regularly insisting that performance and his enjoyment of racing matter more to him than outside opinion.
His latest comments nevertheless underline how close he believes he came to ending his career altogether.
Zandvoort provides another setback
Verstappen’s difficult 2026 season was compounded by a disappointing final Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
The Red Bull driver lost control on the opening lap at the banked corner before the start-finish straight, hitting the barriers heavily before his damaged car slid back onto the circuit.
The incident brought a particularly frustrating end to Verstappen’s latest home appearance.
He had won at Zandvoort in 2021, 2022 and 2023 following the circuit’s return to the Formula 1 calendar. Verstappen then finished second in both 2024 and 2025.
His latest appearance at the Dutch circuit could therefore hardly have been more different, with the Red Bull driver failing to finish after the early crash.
For a driver who had recently admitted that retirement had genuinely crossed his mind, Verstappen’s decision to remain in Formula 1 now carries additional significance. His new Red Bull commitment means he has chosen to continue despite the frustrations of the current regulations and a car that has so far failed to give him the level of performance he expects.
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