2026-08-21 08:46:41

Max Verstappen has revealed that he came closer to retiring from F1 than joining another team following his decision to sign a contract extension at Red Bull.

The four-time world champion put an end to speculation about his future on Thursday (20.08.26) by extending his deal with Red Bull until 2030 and explained that he was closer to quitting the sport than signing for a rival.

Speaking at a press conference before this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen said: “I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams!

“But, no, all good.”

The Dutch driver had suggested earlier this season that he was contemplating retirement due to his frustration at the sport’s new regulations but opted to stay as he is more enthusiastic about planned changes to the cars for the future.

Verstappen said: “I have to say after the first few races I said to Laurent [Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal], ‘Don’t come to me with any kind of questions about the future, because I don’t even know if I want to stay!’

“But honestly, we always kept it very open. I mean, I love racing and I think I had a lot of very good discussions with F1, but also with the FIA, and I think we are, let’s say, slowly working towards something that becomes better and better.

“Also from my side, of course, you know, I adapted, I accept the situation that I think we’re all in and just trying to make the best of that.

“I think also with the year that I signed to, it again opens up the door maybe when potentially the V8s (engines) come in (for 2030) to look at that again as well.”

Several high-profile figures – including former team boss Christian Horner and design guru Adrian Newey – have left Red Bull in recent years but Verstappen insists that he wasn’t interested in looking for a different challenge.

The 71-time Grand Prix winner, who has been part of the Red Bull set-up for the entirety of his F1 career, said: “A few names have left but, at the same time, it’s still my family.

“I never felt that desire or need to change to another team, to try and win somewhere else. If I feel well within the team here, why should I? Because I know that they do everything for me and they know that I do everything for them once I’m on the track and trying to get the results.”

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