Few stars shine as brightly as Max Verstappen in the realm of screaming-redlining 10,000+ RPM engines. Yet recent comments suggest the talented driver may be considering hanging up his racing gloves sooner than you would expect a multi-champion to do. Reminiscent of the James Hunt philosophy. If Red Bull Racing wants to keep its star asset, Christian Horner may need to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Verstappen has openly mentioned his considerations about retirement. “He has hinted at retirement sooner, rather than later, because he wants to pursue other things,” shared VF Castro in a podcast. These “other things” seem to revolve around his personal life, with Verstappen being a family man and one of many interests.

The timeline for Verstappen’s decision appears to be closely linked to his contract expiry with Red Bull in 2028. However, another pivotal factor might be the F1 regulations slated for 2026. The regulations will not only dictate the direction of the sport but also heavily influence team performances for the subsequent years. A significant point of reflection for Verstappen will be Red Bull’s response to these regulations. If you get the car right on the first try, with the new regulations, you’re basically set for a pretty dominant next couple of years.

If Red Bull can design a car that perfectly aligns with the new regulations, they stand a chance of convincing Verstappen to extend his tenure with them. However, if they fail to hit the mark, the Dutch racing sensation might opt for an early exit, perhaps even exploring ventures beyond the racing circuits.

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The upcoming regulations are not just about changing the rules of the game but potentially changing the players as well. Only time will tell if they can deliver a vehicle worthy of Max Verstappen’s immense talent and commitment, ensuring he remains a crucial part of their racing future.

We are now eagerly waiting to see the outcomes of the 2026 regulations. As Castro explained, “We might see a 5-time champion. Maybe the car drops off, maybe he decides in 2028, ‘I wanna pursue something else’.”

What would Max Verstappen do past Formula 1?

While many know Max Verstappen for his incredible prowess in Formula 1, with titles like “World Champion” attached to his name, it’s fascinating to imagine what the racing dynamo might consider beyond the F1 circuit. Recent news indicates that Verstappen might not be restricting his ambitions to just Formula 1. Instead, he’s setting his sights on creating avenues in GT Racing.

Once Verstappen decides to bid adieu to his illustrious F1 career, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him making waves in endurance racing, a realm he has expressed interest in. Also, he’s setting his sights on launching a two-car GT3 racing team under Verstappen.com Racing, aiming for competitions like the GT World Challenge.

Already supporting motorsport through sponsorships, including backing Thierry Vermeulen, Verstappen is on track for this new venture. He recently revealed, “We are working on it at the moment. Next year might be a tight squeeze, but I’m hopeful. By 2025, launching a GT3 team with at least two cars should certainly be feasible,” he expressed with his signature confidence.

Moreover, he envisions a platform to transition talented sim racers to GT Racing, breaking traditional motorsport entry routes. The racing world, and indeed the world at large, can expect many more exciting ventures and contributions from this racing maestro in the years to come.

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