Max Verstappen Finalizes Retirement Plan Despite “Incredible” 3rd World Championship with Red Bull

With the most incredible run the sport has ever seen, Max Verstappen won his third championship in as many years in an unprecedented manner. Surely when you achieve such a feat, you would feel on top of the world and feel immortal. However, not the Dutchman. Despite this feeling of power after dominating the 2023 season, the Red Bull man touched upon his retirement once again.

Not just touching upon the topic, Verstappen set a timeline for his retirement as well. The Dutchman is determined to play out his career in F1 at the highest level and not push it beyond the limit. He still has ambitions to get a taste of other racing competitions as his F1 career has a deadline now.

Max Verstappen sets a timeline for his F1 career despite the incredible stint with Red Bull

Verstappen and Red Bull achieved something incredible in the 2023 season. We can’t imagine the records set in 2023 being broken anytime soon unless the Dutchman leads the Austrian team to yet another dominating season in 2024. However, without thinking about the future, Verstappen appreciated their “incredible” achievement at the FIA gala.

After receiving his championship trophy, he said, “It’s been incredible, it’s been a lot of fun great fun as well to work with everyone. Of course, we all want to win, and we want to do the best we can but when you’re traveling around so much all over the world you want to also do it with a great group of people and we definitely have that at Red Bull. Extremely proud of  what we have achieved this year but of course, I hope it doesn’t stop here.”

Despite this incredibly optimistic and bullish statement which gives us an insight into his relationship with the entire Red Bull team, the Dutchman still knows it will all come to an end sooner or later. In fact, it will come to an end within 10 years, which he revealed in an exclusive with Dutch news outlet Blick.

When asked what F1 would be like in 10 years, he confessed, “The petrol will probably be gone. But our sport is already becoming greener and more sustainable. Only one thing is certain: Max Verstappen will no longer be there!“ (Translated via Google)

Read More: Max Verstappen Responds to Retirement Speculations as 3rd Championship Leaves Lasting Impact

Verstappen has openly confessed his desire and plan to retire time and again. However, this time it wasn’t motivated by the actions of the officials or out of spite. This time, the Dutchman has given us a clear timeline of where he sees himself or doesn’t, after 10 years. However, there are scenarios where this timeline might be shortened.

Max Verstappen threatens early retirement with the growing taxing nature of F1

The Dutchman is on top of his game and at the peak of his powers. However, he won’t be the same forever as age will factor in sooner or later. Couple this will the growing number of races every year in F1 and we have a major problem, at least in Verstappen’s eyes. The Dutchman feels the number of races will sooner or later take its toll and that would be reason enough for him to reture early.

“It is too many [races] for me, but we just have to deal with it. I think it is a bit more logical the way that it is planned. But more things will have to come together for me to make my mind up over whether I stay longer [than 2028] or not,” he said referring to his current contract length.

However, he disregard his current contract as well and said, “I’m very satisfied! If you told me I have to retire tomorrow for whatever reason, my life is good!”

WATCH THIS STORY: Will Max Verstappen Retire Early from F1?

However, he said that in his euphoria of winning his third title. There is nothing left to prove for Verstappen as he can only add to his tally. Let’s hope, for our sake, that is motivation enough for him to continue.