Double World Champion Max Verstappen has once again hinted that he may retire from Formula 1 at the end of 2028, with the constant travelling around the globe seemingly being a key factor that is pushing the Dutchman towards an early retirement.
Verstappen hasn’t hidden the fact that 2028 might be his last season, with the 25-year-old having no intention of remaining in the sport for the sole purpose of breaking records.
Given that Lewis Hamilton is still in the sport, it’s unlikely that Verstappen will break the record for most wins, pole positions or titles, so what would keep him in F1?
Verstappen has admitted himself that he’s “achieved everything I wanted” and that he wants to do “different things in life”, further suggesting that 2028 might be his final season in Formula 1.
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“The problem is that we are traveling so much and it’s getting more and more,” Verstappen told CNN.
“Basically, the question is, “Is it worth it to spend so much time away from family and friends by chasing more success?
“I already achieved everything I wanted in Formula One. But I know I have a contract until 2028. I’ll be 31. It’s still pretty young, but like I said, I also want to do different things in life.”
Should he retire at the end of the 2028 season, Verstappen will be just 31 years old; however, due to the fact he made his debut in 2015, he still would’ve completed 14 years at the pinnacle of motorsport, just one less than Sebastian Vettel.
Verstappen has certainly achieved an incredible amount since he made his debut as a teenager, with the Red Bull star having a winning mentality, something he’s seemingly gotten from his family.
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The reigning World Champion puts spending so much time with his father, ex-F1 driver Jos Verstappen, down as the reason why he approaches certain things in certain ways, given that his entire life has been spent at circuits.
“I think it’s just in general, the mentality we have in the family,” Verstappen added.
“How I grew up as a little kid and spending so much time with my dad going to all the racetracks. So I guess a lot of these kind of things always have to do with how you are brought up.”