Max Verstappen has set his sights on an unconventional path in Formula 1, expressing “no desire” to emulate the careers of veterans Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso by racing well into his forties.
Instead, the 25-year-old Verstappen, who has recently dominated the sport with ten consecutive race victories, is determined to be the fastest driver of the moment and focus on his aspirations beyond the Formula 1 track.
Verstappen’s meteoric rise in the sport recently saw him break the records of Sebastian Vettel and Alberto Ascari by securing ten consecutive Formula 1 race victories, culminating in his triumph at the Italian Grand Prix.
At just 25 years of age, he is now well on his way to clinching his third world championship title.
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While his youth and remarkable success have led to speculation about his potential to become the most successful Formula 1 driver in history, surpassing the joint records of Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher with seven world championships, Verstappen remains resolute in his unique vision.
Verstappen’s current tally of 47 race victories already places him ahead of illustrious figures like Fernando Alonso, Nigel Mansell, and Ayrton Senna.
With the possibility of ascending to third place on the all-time list, overtaking the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel’s 53 victories, the Dutch driver stands on the brink of breaking numerous records if he can sustain his stellar performance and continue to enjoy a world-class car provided by Red Bull Racing.
However, Verstappen has consistently hinted at the possibility of departing from Formula 1 when his current contract expires in 2028, reiterating his eagerness to explore other passions and interests outside of the sport.
In response to inquiries about the prospect of racing into his forties like Hamilton and Alonso, Verstappen firmly stated, “No, absolutely not.
“No desire.
“No, I have my mind already set on what I want to do also outside of Formula 1.
“It’s a big passion of mine, and I want to make that happen as well.”
This declaration aligns with Hamilton’s recent contract extension, which commits him to Formula 1 until at least the end of 2025, ensuring that he will continue racing into his forties.
Hamilton aims to further extend his existing Formula 1 records, including 103 race victories, 104 pole positions, and the pursuit of an eighth world championship title, which would establish him as the most successful driver in the history of the sport.
Despite Hamilton’s recent win drought since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, attributed in part to Verstappen and Red Bull’s recent dominance, the Dutch driver remains unwavering in his pursuit of the present and securing as many race victories as possible in 2023.
His relentless winning mentality drives him to continually push himself and the team to improve, with the ultimate goal of achieving victory in every race.
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Verstappen emphasised the importance of continuous improvement, stating, “Don’t have a lazy attitude of ‘we are winning, why do we need to improve?’
“Because you need to improve.
“Because if you’re not improving, you’re standing still, and you’re going backwards. So I think it’s all about that.”