Max Verstappen has admitted he was "closer to retiring than changing teams" as he explained why he has committed to Red Bull and Formula 1 until 2030.
The four-time F1 world champion has penned a four-year extension to his contract with improved terms, despite a difficult start to the 2026 campaign which sees him winless and lying sixth in the drivers' standings.
The 28-year-old was heavily linked with McLaren and Mercedes but also hinted at retiring from the sport after 12 consecutive seasons, given his dissatisfaction with the much-criticised new generation of cars – which Verstappen had previously described as "anti-racing."
Yet before his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, Verstappen announced his commitment to Red Bull for the long-term – and admitted he had his eye on finishing his F1 career with the Milton Keynes-based team.
"I was closer to retiring than changing teams," Verstappen said at a Red Bull press conference in Zandvoort on Thursday.
#zandvoort #admitted #teams
The four-time F1 world champion has penned a four-year extension to his contract with improved terms, despite a difficult start to the 2026 campaign which sees him winless and lying sixth in the drivers' standings.
The 28-year-old was heavily linked with McLaren and Mercedes but also hinted at retiring from the sport after 12 consecutive seasons, given his dissatisfaction with the much-criticised new generation of cars – which Verstappen had previously described as "anti-racing."
Yet before his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, Verstappen announced his commitment to Red Bull for the long-term – and admitted he had his eye on finishing his F1 career with the Milton Keynes-based team.
"I was closer to retiring than changing teams," Verstappen said at a Red Bull press conference in Zandvoort on Thursday.
#zandvoort #admitted #teams
2 months ago
