Max Verstappen at ease with prospect of no fifth F1 crown as he weighs Formula 1 future amid 2026 rules reset
Max Verstappen Reflects on Future Amid 2026 F1 Regulation Changes
Max Verstappen says he’s at peace with the possibility he may never add a fifth Formula 1 title, acknowledging an uncertain future on and off the track as the sport heads toward a major rules reset in 2026. In a candid Max Verstappen interview during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, the four-time Formula 1 world champion spoke about his long-term Formula 1 future and how the 2026 F1 regulation changes could reshape the grid.
Speaking to reporters over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, the four-time champion reiterated he doesn’t have a firm timeline for how long he’ll remain in F1, even as his run as reigning world champion appears set to end this season with Red Bull trailing McLaren’s pace. Either Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris will snap Verstappen’s streak of four straight titles by year’s end, underscoring the current McLaren vs. Red Bull F1 title fight in the drivers’ championship.
"I probably won't continue until I'm 44," Verstappen, 27, joked, when presented with a comparison to two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who is still racing at the highest level but hasn’t won since 2013.
Verstappen, contracted to Red Bull through 2028, has long said he never intended to chase records and was content after securing the 2021 championship. He also noted the 2026 regulation overhaul could shuffle the competitive order again. "I think this has already been more than I could have ever dream of, you know, back in the day. So, of course, I'm very happy and proud of what I have achieved so far and you never know, maybe you will not win a championship again. That's something that can happen, but it's not really on my mind."
The Dutchman, who became a father earlier this year, has increasingly emphasized the strain of F1’s 24-race calendar and the time it takes away from family life. While he intends to keep driving for now, he’s also open to transitioning into a leadership role within motorsport. "I have a lot of plans and things around racing, but that doesn't necessarily always need my involvement 100%, I think, in the future. But of course, in the beginning, it's super important to set everything up really well. But those plans are for the future, down the line. I would like to drive a little bit more [after F1], but I also actually don't mind the more like manager side of things, you know, to see other drivers compete in your car, your team. So yeah, I mean, it's not so easy to fully answer that right now. It also just depends a bit on how much fun it all is, you know, for myself, how fast you are as well because at one point you will get slower with age and then maybe it's better to put the young guys in ... because you don't want to also look like an idiot!"
Despite speculation linking him to a move in 2026, Verstappen has dismissed Mercedes’ overtures, reaffirming his position at Red Bull for the foreseeable future. For fans tracking Max Verstappen’s F1 future, the message was clear: his focus remains on Red Bull Racing, the evolving 2026 F1 rules, and balancing a relentless 24-race schedule with life beyond the cockpit, including potential team management and driver development roles.
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