Max Verstappen: World champion casts doubt over F1 future amid concerns over schedule and format

Max Verstappen says he’s unsure whether or not he’ll stay in Method 1 after his present Crimson Bull contract expires in 2028; the Dutchman is the favorite to win a 3rd successive drivers’ title this season; watch the Azerbaijan GP qualifying dwell on Friday at 2pm

Reigning Method 1 world champion Max Verstappen has reiterated his doubts over remaining within the sport past the expiration of his present Crimson Bull contract in 2028.

Verstappen is the clear favorite to win a 3rd successive drivers’ title after making a powerful begin to the 2023 season, however not too long ago prompt that modifications to the game – notably the introduction of extra Dash races – could lead on him to exit sooner reasonably than later.

Since Verstappen made these feedback in March, a brand new Dash weekend format has been launched that may debut at this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1.

Requested how that growth had impacted his mindset, Verstappen prompt that it is not simply Dash races, however a number of different components, most notably a 23-race calendar which is predicted to develop sooner or later.

“I’ve to watch out what I say now,” Verstappen informed reporters in Baku on Thursday. “I’ve all the time mentioned anyway that even when there weren’t any extra dash races, but when we preserve increasing the calendar and the entire weekend is that lengthy, at one level you query your self ‘is it value it?’

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Max Verstappen admits he’s not a giant fan of the Dash format and isn’t satisfied that the brand new format could have a major impression

“I do like racing, I do like successful. I do know that after all the wage and all the pieces, you have got a very good life, however is it really a very good life? I feel typically you get to a degree in your profession the place possibly you need to do different stuff.

“I do know that I’ve a contract till the tip 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. I feel you all the time must be speaking to your self and your self [asking] ‘are you continue to very motivated and do you’re keen on what you do?’

“In the meanwhile, that’s positively the case, however there’ll for certain be some extent the place you need to do possibly different stuff as nicely.”

‘Plenty of individuals will wrestle’ with rising F1 schedule

Verstappen got here out on high in an exhilarating battle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden title in 2021, earlier than dominating to retain the drivers’ crown in 2022 with a file 15 race victories.

Crimson Bull seem primed for extra success with their RB19 the category of the 2023 area, and the crew’s beautiful early-season tempo has many questioning whether or not their rivals will be capable to catch up earlier than the introduction of recent engine laws in 2026.

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Following a dramatic first Australian GP win, the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast crew debate whether or not Max Verstappen claimed his finest Method One victory in Melbourne

Verstappen mentioned: “Typically, this sounds very bizarre for individuals from the skin, as a result of they’re like, ‘oh, yeah, you are in Method 1, you are successful!’ And doubtless I’d have mentioned the identical once I was of their place, however when you’re in it, it is not all the time the way it appears like or how individuals assume your life is, proper?

“I imply, sure, it is nice. I imply it is wonderful, I can do loads of issues. I am very impartial, however there may be all the time a restrict to sure issues.

“I feel each individual is a bit totally different. It additionally relies upon a bit what you need out of your life, proper? Some individuals simply love racing, and that is the one factor they know or the one factor they need to do. I’m in all probability a bit extra within the center. I imply, I do love racing however I additionally need to do different sort of racing after which you possibly can’t mix the 2, or arrange other forms of stuff.

“I feel if you do that quantity of races, not solely drivers, but additionally employees and the crew, it is lots of people who will wrestle with that.”

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Try all of Max Verstappen’s overtakes from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix the place he began on P15 and completed on P2

The mixture of Verstappen’s brilliance on the wheel and Crimson Bull’s dominance has led to hypothesis as as to whether the Dutchman may go on to match and exceed the file of seven world championships held by Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

Requested whether or not changing into the game’s ‘best’ driver motivates him, Verstappen replied: “No, I am not taken with successful seven or eight titles.

“I imply, when you have the automotive to take action, then nice. However even when it does not, I am already completely happy, so it is okay.”

The Method 1 season resumes with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from April 28-30, with the primary Dash weekend of 2023 proven in full dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch Saturday’s Dash at 2:30pm and Sunday’s race at 12pm. Get Sky Sports activities