The world champion has made no secret of his dislike for dash race occasions, and remarks he made on the subject on the Australian Grand Prix had been interpreted by some as being a stop risk over them.
However forward of the first F1 sprint weekend of the year in Baku, Verstappen has shed some mild on his true thought course of concerning his future in grand prix racing after his present contract runs out in 2028.
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And moderately than it simply being parts like dash races that may dictate what he does, he has made clear that what issues much more to him is the general state of F1 and the calls for that locations on drivers.
Requested by Autosport if he would actually stroll away from F1 due to dash races, Verstappen stated: “I believe I all the time stated that even when there will not be any extra dash races, if we preserve increasing the calendar and the entire weekend is that lengthy, at one level you query your self – is it value it?
“I do like racing. I do like profitable. I do know that, in fact, there may be the wage and every part, and you’ve got a great life. However is it truly a great life?
“I believe typically you get to a degree in your profession the place possibly you wish to do different stuff. I’ve the contract till the top of 2028 after which we’ll overview once more, however I do really feel that if it is getting at one level an excessive amount of, then it is time for a change.”
He added: “This sounds very bizarre for folks from the skin, as a result of they’re like, ‘oh, you are in System 1, you are profitable!’ And doubtless I might have stated the identical after I was of their place.
“However when you’re in it, it is not all the time the way it appears like or how folks assume your life is. I imply, sure, it is nice, it is wonderful and I can do plenty of issues. I am very unbiased. However there may be all the time a restrict to sure issues.”
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing, 1st place, along with his medal on the rostrum
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Verstappen stated whereas he totally understood the enterprise causes for F1 pursuing concepts like dash races, he was solely within the purity of the racing – and he felt the spectacle didn’t profit that a lot from them.
“Most likely F1 appears at it from a enterprise standpoint,” he stated. “I perceive the dash races, they in all probability add a bit extra pleasure, however then I take a look at it from the racing standpoint.
“And I am like, ‘effectively usually, while you then do the dash races, lap one is thrilling, a couple of shunts right here and there, harm, blah, blah, blah, and security automotive, a bit extra pleasure.
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“However then all through the race, you get fairly a transparent image of what’s taking place, and who’s the quickest, so then you definitely even have fairly a transparent view on what is going on to occur the subsequent day.
“That in all probability takes a bit the shine away from the principle occasion, which I believe all the time must be the particular occasion.”
Endurance however not IndyCar future
Verstappen stated that whereas F1 is delivering for him all of the satisfaction he wants proper now, he was desirous to compete in different collection – particularly endurance racing – sooner or later.
“Some folks simply love racing and that is the one factor they know and the one factor they wish to do,” he stated.
“I’m in all probability a bit extra within the center. I imply, I do love racing. However I additionally wish to do other forms of racing. After which you possibly can’t mix the 2 or arrange other forms of stuff.”
A change to endurance racing would provide him the possibility to staff up along with his father Jos – though he has additionally urged having his personal staff is of curiosity as effectively.
Requested if his dad would nonetheless be younger sufficient to race with him at Le Mans sooner or later, Verstappen stated: “I preserve telling him that point is ticking, and he’s getting older. However even when it’s not with my dad, we’ll see.
“I additionally even have the eagerness of establishing my very own staff as effectively. There’s plenty of issues I want to do outdoors of simply driving myself.”
One factor Verstappen has dominated out although is a transfer throughout to the USA and competing in IndyCar.
“I like watching IndyCar,” he stated. “I believe there are plenty of nice drivers in there and likewise folks I raced towards, so I’ve a great reference to them. And I like seeing them do effectively.
“However me driving the Indy 500? Completely not. I’d go there and watch however not race.”