Christian Horner pinpoints scenario for Max Verstappen’s potential F1 exit
Christian Horner believed that Max Verstappen's exit from Formula 1 would happen if the latter' finds racing in GT cars more interesting.
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Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (Via Imago)
Max Verstappen‘s Formula 1 career has been extremely successful with him achieving over four championship wins in recent years. The Dutchman has a contract with Red Bull at least until the end of the 2028 season which he is highly unlikely to extend. Verstappen has noted on countless occasions about an early exit from the sport. Hence, amidst the preparations for the 2025 season, Christian Horner pinpointed the reason that will cause the 27-year-old’s imminent exit.
Max Verstappen’s swearing saga over the 2024 season apart from the unfair penalties caused him to be extremely agitated at the FIA and the sport. However, the 27-year-old has showcased his loyalty to Red Bull on countless occasions and is highly likely to retire as a Red Bull driver. Christian Horner reckoned that as long as Verstappen enjoyed the sport, he was likely to continue.
Horner believed that as soon as the enjoyment factor of racing in Formula 1 disappeared for Max Verstappen, he would wage his options. Moreover, the 51-year-old asserted that the Dutchman was strong enough to deem a surprising exit from the sport. This meant that the 27-year-old at any time could announce a move to racing GTs in the future.
I think that as long as he still enjoys what he does, he will continue to do it. But as soon as that enjoyment disappears, he is also strong enough to say, “I’m going to drive GTs next year.” He is quite unique in that respect, as F1 does not define him.
Christian Horner told racingnews365.com
Max Verstappen doesn’t see himself as the ‘next Lewis Hamilton’
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are the two drivers with the most amount of experience in Formula 1. Both drivers are continuing their careers in the sport despite being over 40 years of age. Christian Horner believed that the 27-year-old wasn’t going to continue in F1 for so long. The Red Bull boss further declared that the reigning world champion had other interests apart from racing at the pinnacle of motorsport.
He does not see himself as the next Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton, and that he will stay in the sport for another fifteen years. He has interests outside of Formuula 1.
Christian Horner noted
Verstappen has kept up with performances despite the massive performance struggle from Red Bull in 2024. Hence, the Dutchman is highly likely to perform similarly if not better in the coming seasons if provided with the right setup. Apart from F1, the 27-year-old is all set to become a father after announcing Kelly Piquet’s pregnancy and would want to spend some more family time.
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Aditya Pandya
(1472 Articles Published)