Max Verstappen has acknowledged that his period of dominance in Formula 1 may already be behind him.
After winning four consecutive world championships, the Dutchman and Red Bull have fallen behind as McLaren asserts control at the top of the grid.
Despite the shift, Verstappen remains pragmatic about his prospects.
“You never know, maybe you will not win a championship again,” he told ESPN.
“That’s something that can happen, but it’s not really on my mind.”
A Career Beyond Driving
The 26-year-old has already begun planning for life after racing.
In 2022, he co-founded Verstappen.com Racing, a team designed to support drivers across multiple categories.
“I have a lot of plans and things around racing, but that doesn’t necessarily always need my involvement 100 per cent,” Verstappen explained.
He added that while he may continue driving after F1, he is also interested in management roles.
“I don’t mind the more manager side of things, to see other drivers compete in your car, your team.”
Focus on Longevity and Fun
Verstappen said his decision on retirement would ultimately depend on performance and enjoyment.
“I probably won’t continue until I’m 44,” he joked, hinting at a shorter career than some of his peers.
He acknowledged that age would inevitably slow him down.
“At one point you will get slower with age and then maybe it’s better to put the young guys in,” he admitted.
“You don’t want to also look like an idiot.”
While Verstappen’s competitive fire remains, his comments underline a mature acceptance that Formula 1 careers are finite, even for its most successful champions.