Max Verstappen sets retirement marker with Red Bull issuing a rival warning ahead of the F1 2024 season

Red Bull Racing has enjoyed a year of unparalleled success, largely attributed to the exceptional performance of Max Verstappen. However, the future remains uncertain, and maintaining their dominant position in the industry in the next decade is far from guaranteed.

In a recent statement, the Dutch sensation acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the sport, expressing certainty that he won’t be a part of it a decade from now, and expressed his candid thoughts on the future.

Max Verstappen sets retirement marker

At the peak of his racing career at the age of 26, Max Verstappen, even though being a three-time World Champion already, expressed resolute belief that he would not be a part of Formula 1 a decade from now. Despite his current contractual commitment with Red Bull extending until the conclusion of 2028, the Dutch driver remained tight-lipped about his intentions beyond that timeframe.

In a recent interview with Swiss Publication Blick, Verstappen shared his perspective on the future of Formula over the next 10 years. He said, “The gasoline will probably be gone, but our sport is already becoming greener and more sustainable. Only one thing is certain: Max Verstappen will no longer be there.”

While the specifics of his long-term plans in the sport remain uncertain, his certainty about not staying in the industry adds an interesting layer to the ongoing narrative of his career and the evolving landscape of the sport.

Red Bull asked Max Verstappen to be careful of Charles LeclercRed Bull asked Max Verstappen to be careful of Charles Leclerc

In the 2023 season, Max Verstappen asserted dominance by clinching victories in a remarkable 19 races, surpassing his own record of 15 wins in a single calendar year. However, former F1 driver Johnny Herbert suggests that amidst Verstappen’s supremacy, there is a formidable contender to watch out for: Charles Leclerc.

Despite glimpses of intense rivalry between Leclerc and Verstappen in previous seasons, Ferrari struggled to provide a consistently competitive car. Herbert, however, anticipates a shift in the pattern in the upcoming season. The former F1 driver is optimistic that Ferrari will present Leclerc with a car capable of challenging for wins on a regular basis.

Herbert also pointed to the spirited battles between the duo in 2022 as evidence of Leclerc’s capability to rise to the challenge posed by the three-time World Champion. He said, “The battles they have had, wheel-to-wheel combat, also showed that they respect each other; I think that’s very, very important.”

Do you think Ferrari will be able to inch closer to Red Bull’s dominance in the upcoming season? Tell us in the comment section below.