Max Verstappen has admitted he came close to stepping away from Formula 1 before extending his deal with Red Bull last month, despite holding discussions with rival teams.
Speaking to German publication Bild after agreeing a deal until 2030, the four-time world champion discussed retirement thoughts and confirmed talks took place with McLaren.
"You have to take every conversation with another team seriously," Verstappen said. "But in the end, I was closer to quitting Formula 1 than to signing with another racing team."
"You either quit or you don't, so it's a 50/50 decision," he added. "I seriously considered calling it quits. But at the end of the day, I just love racing."
The 28-year-old won four consecutive F1 **** les from 2021 to 2024, but remains winless this season. He sits sixth in the standings following Sunday's runner-up finish at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, 147 points adrift of Mercedes leader Kimi Antonelli.
#bull
Speaking to German publication Bild after agreeing a deal until 2030, the four-time world champion discussed retirement thoughts and confirmed talks took place with McLaren.
"You have to take every conversation with another team seriously," Verstappen said. "But in the end, I was closer to quitting Formula 1 than to signing with another racing team."
"You either quit or you don't, so it's a 50/50 decision," he added. "I seriously considered calling it quits. But at the end of the day, I just love racing."
The 28-year-old won four consecutive F1 **** les from 2021 to 2024, but remains winless this season. He sits sixth in the standings following Sunday's runner-up finish at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, 147 points adrift of Mercedes leader Kimi Antonelli.
#bull
2 days ago
