Max Verstappen: Crimson Bull driver casts doubt over long-term F1 future forward of Dutch Grand Prix | F1 Information

Max Verstappen has solid doubt on his long-term F1 future forward of his dwelling occasion at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who leads the Drivers’ Championship by 78 factors over Lando Norris with 10 races to go, will make his 2 hundredth Grand Prix begin on Sunday at Zandvooort.

The 26-year-old has a contract with Crimson Bull till the top of 2028 and has beforehand acknowledged he wouldn’t wish to race in F1 into his late 30s.

Requested if he would compete in one other 200 F1 races, Verstappen mentioned: “No. We are past halfway for sure but it’s been already an incredible ride.

“It does not really feel like 200 races, however we do quite a lot of races within the yr, so that you add them fairly shortly.”

Verstappen confirmed he’ll keep at Crimson Bull for 2025 regardless of Mercedes’ efforts to signal the Dutchman to switch Lewis Hamilton.

He has additionally expressed his want to have the ability to compete at occasions such because the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race whereas nonetheless in peak bodily situation, which might be a cause to not race in F1 for one more decade.

“2028 is far away,” mentioned Verstappen on whether or not he might be persuaded to remain in F1 past his present contract.

“In my mind at the moment, I’m not thinking about a new contract at the moment. I want to see how it goes and see the new regulations to see if it’s fun or not.

“Then even in 2026 and 2027, there’s quite a lot of time to resolve what occurs. I maintain every little thing open and am fairly easy-going about it.”

Verstappen takes part in sim racing away from the F1 track and is open to “different alternatives” sooner or later.

“It’s difficult to combine [other motorsport categories] with F1 at the moment, with having so many races,” he mentioned.

“For sure, once I stop in F1, I would like to do other stuff and be more relaxed, so being more at home because when I compete in something, I want to be good and want to win.”

Verstappen ‘not anxious’ about championship state of affairs

Verstappen hasn’t received for 4 races, for the reason that Spanish Grand Prix, his longest winless streak since 2020.

Nevertheless, he has capitalised on errors from Norris and McLaren to extend his championship result in 78 factors, regardless that Crimson Bull have arguably had an inferior automobile during the last seven occasions.

“If you look at the championship, Lando is closest challenger but lately you can see there are a lot of cars winning races,” mentioned Verstappen.

“It’s very unknown, very close and attention to detail, getting the car in the right operating window, can really make a difference.”

Mercedes might play a job within the title battle as they’ve received three of the final 4 races, so if Lewis Hamilton or George Russell can get in between Norris and Verstappen, that can create an enormous factors swing.

Verstappen got here from eleventh on the grid to beat Norris to fourth place final outing in Belgium and is not occupied with his factors benefit.

“I’m not really worried and not thinking about Abu Dhabi yet,” he mentioned. “I just want to improve as a team and improve the car.

“If we enhance the automobile, it makes our life a bit simpler. I really feel if we began on pole at Spa in our regular place, with out the penalty, we might have nonetheless received the race.”

Verstappen hoping for ‘clear weekend’

Verstappen has received the three Dutch GPs since F1 returned to Zandvoort in 2021, however this weekend would be the hardest but to face on the highest step of the rostrum on dwelling soil.

Overtaking is tough round Zandvoort, so Verstappen says qualifying will probably be “very important”.

“Looking at how the season is at the moment, it looks like there are many more teams involved that can win a race,” he added.

“I’m not saying we can come into this weekend and say we are going to win the race. I just want to have a clean weekend, understand the car more and learn from it.

“We analysed quite a bit over the break and tried to do issues a bit totally different or higher.”

Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Dutch GP schedule

Friday August 23
9.05am: F1 Academy: Apply One
11am: Dutch GP Apply One (session begins 11.30am)
2.45pm: Dutch GP Apply Two (session begins 3pm)
4.25pm: F1 Academy: Apply Two
5.15pm: The F1 Present

Saturday August 24
9.10am: F1 Academy: Qualifying
10.15am: Dutch GP Apply Three (session begins 10.30am)
1pm: Dutch GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: DUTCH GP QUALIFYING
4pm: F1 Academy: Race One

Sunday August 25
9.40am: F1 Academy: Race Two
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Dutch GP build-up
2pm: The DUTCH GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Dutch GP response

System 1 returns after the summer time break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime.

Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and will probably be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.