Max Verstappen has established himself as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history. The Dutch four-time world champion claimed his last title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2024, adding another remarkable achievement to his already illustrious career. Despite Verstappen’s immense individual success, Red Bull’s performance in the Constructors’ Championship was not outstanding, with the team finishing third, largely due to the inconsistent form of his teammate Sergio Perez.

Perez’s poor performance led to his departure from the team at the end of the 2024 season, with Red Bull opting to replace him with former RB driver Liam Lawson. While Verstappen’s brilliant on-track talent has kept Red Bull in the spotlight, the team now faces a very different challenge as it prepares for the 2025 season. For the first time in several years, Red Bull will face strong competition from other top teams, including McLaren and Ferrari, both of which have made significant progress in developing their 2024 cars. With the regulations remaining almost identical for 2025, the battle for the top spots will be tougher than ever.

As the 2025 season approaches, the F1 world is eagerly awaiting how Red Bull responds to the new challenge from McLaren and Ferrari. For all the talk about the team’s performance and technical development, however, one of the most intriguing stories surrounding Verstappen revolves around his future in the sport. Although his current contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028, Verstappen has hinted in recent months that he may leave Formula 1 earlier, fuelling speculation about his long-term commitment to the sport.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has shared his thoughts on Verstappen’s potential departure from F1, and his comments may come as a surprise to many. Speaking to reporters, Horner gave a candid assessment of his star driver’s mindset and offered some insight into what could be in store for Verstappen in the coming years.

Horner’s comments have undoubtedly sparked debate in the motorsport world. According to the Red Bull boss, Verstappen has a very different vision of his career than other long-standing drivers such as Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton. Horner revealed that Verstappen does not expect to stay in Formula 1 for the next 15 years, as many would expect from a four-time world champion. On the contrary, Verstappen is someone who wants to enjoy his career while it still fulfills him.

“Max is honestly his own boss,” said Horner. “It’s clear from the conversations I’ve had that he doesn’t see himself as a Fernando [Alonso] or a Lewis [Hamilton] and that he’s not going to stay in the sport for the next 15 years or so.”

This prospect could be a sign that expectations for Verstappen’s career have changed. While F1 legends such as Alonso and Hamilton drove into their late 30s or early 40s, Verstappen’s priorities also seem to lie elsewhere. The Dutch driver has a passion for racing in various forms, for example with GT cars, LMP cars and even simulators. These interests outside of Formula 1 show that Verstappen is not defined solely by his status in the sport. This could lead to him deciding to leave F1 sooner than many expect.

In his comments, Horner also highlighted Verstappen’s “old-school” approach to racing, which contrasts with the modern spectacle of Formula 1. According to Horner, Verstappen is not someone who enjoys the media circus and noise that often surrounds the sport. While Verstappen loves the competitive aspect and thrill of racing, the enjoyment of it could wane when the pressure and distraction become too great.

“The noise and circus around Formula 1 doesn’t suit him, so as long as he enjoys what he’s doing, he’ll do it,” said Horner. “As soon as the fun wears off, he has the strength of character and the personality to say, ‘You know what, next year I’m going to drive GT.'”

This attitude sets Verstappen apart from other drivers for whom Formula 1 is a lifelong pursuit. Verstappen seems more willing to give up the sport if he doesn’t enjoy it, which could make him more unpredictable in terms of his career trajectory. This may come as a surprise to fans who are used to seeing Verstappen dominate the sport year after year, but it also highlights his individuality and determination to stay true to what he loves.

Even though Verstappen may be leaving Formula 1 sooner than expected, Horner expressed his gratitude to have the Dutch driver on his team and hopes he will continue to drive for Red Bull for many more years. However, Horner was quick to acknowledge that no one has a crystal ball and the future is uncertain, especially given Verstappen’s unique approach to his career.

“We are very grateful to have him as our driver and we hope it will continue for many years to come… but nobody has a crystal ball,” Horner concluded.

As fans eagerly await the 2025 season, Max Verstappen’s future remains an intriguing topic. Will he continue to dominate the sport in the years to come or will the lure of other racing disciplines push him out of F1 sooner than expected? Only time will tell, but for now, Verstappen is still focused on winning races and championships. He has proven time and time again that he is more than capable of doing so.