Verstappen says retirement was closer than joining rival F1 team

Max Verstappen has revealed that his Formula 1 future came perilously close to ending altogether, admitting that retirement was a more realistic possibility than switching teams before he ultimately committed himself to Red Bull until 2030.

The Dutchman had been at the centre of intense speculation during the first half of the season, with Mercedes and McLaren both linked to a potential move as Red Bull struggled to match the pace of its rivals and Verstappen openly questioned whether he still wanted to be part of F1’s new era.

Those doubts have now been put to bed. Red Bull confirmed ahead of Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix that the four-time world champion had extended his existing contract through the end of 2030.

But the biggest reveal came when Verstappen explained just how close he had come to walking away rather than finding a new home.

Retirement was closer than a rival switch

Asked whether he had genuinely considered joining another team, Verstappen delivered a remarkably blunt response.

“I think I was closer to retiring than changing team! But no, all good,” he said.

The 28-year-old then revealed that his uncertainty was so serious early in the campaign that even Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was warned not to raise the subject of his future.

“I have to say, after the first few races, I said to Laurent, ‘don’t come to me with any kind of questions about the future! Because I don’t even know if I want to stay’.”

Despite Red Bull losing several senior figures and facing a difficult start to the new regulations, Verstappen ultimately found no compelling reason to abandon the team he has called home since 2016.

“Of course a few names have left but at the same time, it’s still my family,” he explained. “I never felt the desire or need also to change just to change to another team to try and win somewhere else.

“If I feel well within 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 trying to get the results.

“So, for me, no, this it does not feel like that, like with some of the other drivers. I'm just happy to be here and and continue to to drive here.”

The V8 door helped change his mind

Verstappen’s frustration was not simply about Red Bull’s competitiveness. He has been one of the fiercest critics of F1’s 2026 regulations, particularly the new power-unit formula, and at one point openly contemplated quitting the championship.

His position softened after discussions with F1 and the FIA produced the prospect of changes to the current direction of the sport, including the possibility of a future return to V8 engines.

“I accepted kind of the situation that we’re in,” he added. “I’m personally, of course, I’m not happy with it [the new regulations].

“But at the same time, with the discussions that I’ve had with F1 and FIA, already trying to make little improvements for next year or the year after, plus the year that I signed to, leaving the door open for a potential V8 return – I’m willing to accept that at the moment.

• Read also: Verstappen settles F1 future, extends Red Bull deal until 2030!

“It’s, let’s say, not fantastic. But I still love racing. I mean, it’s still a Formula 1 car. And some tracks are better than others. But, yeah, for sure we know that in some areas I think we can improve. So, hopefully, over the years it will get a little bit better.”

So while Verstappen’s future once appeared to be hanging by a thread, the answer was never really another team. It was whether he wanted to remain in F1 at all.

For now, the answer is emphatically yes – and Red Bull remains the place where he intends to race.

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