Horner comments on Verstappen's future: 'He has interests outside of F1'
F1 News
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner isn't ruling out the possibility of Max Verstappen leaving Formula 1 before his contract expires. The Red Bull team boss believes Verstappen’s strong-willed nature could push him to walk away from the sport if he no longer finds it enjoyable. The Dutchman has previously criticised the 24-race calendar in Formula 1 and may prefer to drive somewhere with a less strenuous calendar. For now, he remains fully focused on succeeding with Red Bull.
"Honestly, Max is his own man," Horner told the Goodwood website. "From all the conversations that have been covered by [the media], it's clear he doesn't see himself being a Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton and around in the sport for the next 15 years or so. He's got interests outside of Formula 1. He enjoys driving GT cars, simulators, LMP cars. He's very old school in many respects in that he just wants to drive, and some of the noise and circus around Formula 1 doesn't sit comfortably with him."
Max Verstappen is officially contracted with Red Bull until 2028, but he has recently expressed frustration with certain developments in the sport. These issues have led him to hint at the possibility of leaving Formula 1 earlier than planned. Christian Horner has confirmed this.
Horner: Max Verstappen is 'unique'
"I think that so long as he's getting the enjoyment out of what he does, he'll do it," Horner explains. "But as soon as that enjoyment drops, he's got the strength of character and personality to say, 'Do you know what? I'm going to go and drive GTs next year."
The Brit believes that this makes Verstappen special. "He's unique in that sense that Formula 1 doesn't define him. He's doing it because he enjoys and loves it, and as soon as that enjoyment and love dips, he will go and do something else."
This article was written in collaboration with Kim Hoefnagel
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