When Max Emilian Verstappen joined the Formula 1 grid back in 2015, he was the youngest driver to ever do so. Back then, he had very simple goals and ambitions. ‘Win a race’ and ‘Become World Champion once’ were the only things he could dream of back then. Fast forward to 2025, and Verstappen is a four-time World Champion, considered to be among the best drivers ever in Formula 1.
While Verstappen’s time in F1 has been a literal dream come true, he has never shied away from talking about the lifespan of his F1 career. The Dutchman is 27 years old and has more ambitions than just Formula 1. Amongst his recent struggles in 2025, Max is asked about his plans for the future, as winning a 5th World Title may not be in the cards anymore.
Competing in Formula 1 is not forever for Max Verstappen
On the 2025 grid, there are several drivers who have careers in Formula 1 that date back 15 years. Drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg have shown what it is like to be successful in Formula 1 even if you don’t win races. While Verstappen respects these drivers and their careers, he knows for certain that he won’t be joining them.
The Dutchman has always made it clear that he wants to compete in other racing competitions outside F1. In a recent interview with ESPN during the Dutch GP weekend, He discussed his future career and ambitions outside of Formula 1:
“I probably won’t continue until I’m 44 [like Fernando Alonso],” The Dutchman said jokingly, “I think this has already been more than I could have ever dream of. 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.”
Max Verstappen post-race:
“I’d like to win another 10 championships, but I know I’m not going to be in Formula 1 in 10 years.”
[via @FormulaDirecta]#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/HghgJNZeDf
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) November 24, 2024
“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!”
While things aren’t looking up for Verstappen in 2025, the 2026 Formula 1 Regulations could bring forth new opportunities for success. With completely new cars and rules comes a new order of the grid, and who knows, maybe Verstappen will rise to the top once again before he leaves the sport forever.
Max Verstappen wants to do more than just drive in other racing leagues
When looking ahead to his career after Formula 1, Max reveals that he wants to compete in less intensive leagues. The Formula 1 calendar currently consists of 24 race weekends spanning from early March to December. As he recently became a father to a baby girl, Verstappen stated that even though he wants to keep racing after Formula 1, he also wants to spend more time with his family. This doesn’t mean that he is done with racing at all:
“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 also actually don’t mind the more like manager side of things, you know, to see other drivers compete in your car, your team.”
We need to see Franz Hermann’s lap times 😂
(via @Max33Verstappen) pic.twitter.com/yIvfePiL2K
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 10, 2025
Max already made headlines earlier this year when he went ‘undercover’ to the Nürburgring under the false name Franz Hermann. He did this as a test for his skills on the legendary circuit. A test that saw him break the circuit lap record. This shows the level of passion for racing that the Dutchman has and what he will eventually bring to other series.
