‘The main reason that I will not continue to do this until I turn 40,’ Max Verstappen not a fan of the ever-growing F1 calendar
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Max Verstappen
The 2023 season of Formula 1 will feature at least 23 races, barring any other cancellations after the Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled again. As of now, there are no replacements lined up – and there’s no surety if there will be. In any case, this will still be the longest F1 calendar of all time – and Max Verstappen is not a fan of the increasing strain put on drivers.
While his contemporary, Carlos Sainz, thinks that even 24 races a season is doable for him personally, Verstappen is not particularly a fan of the ever-increasing calendar. The Dutchman has indicated previously that he may take an early retirement, and in conversation with De Limburger, he cited this as one of the main reasons he will not drive till he ‘turns 40’.
While he has previously said he’s ready for 24 races, Verstappen thinks they are just too much over a long period and that drivers have to sacrifice a lot from their personal lives to accommodate it: “I have often indicated that this is too much and the main reason that I will not continue to do this until I turn 40. Traveling a lot and stuff, that’s just not healthy. I still really like it now, but you have to give up a lot for it.”
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport – a dream for many, but according to Verstappen, after a while, the busy schedule can become too much: “That sounds crazy because driving Formula 1 is of course a dream for many people, but it really is. You are very far away from home and from the people you love. There comes a time when you are done with that.”
Max Verstappen hopes that another Dutch talent will be ready by the time he retires
For the first time in history, there will be two ‘regular’ Dutch drivers on the Formula 1 grid. Max Verstappen, and Nyck de Vries – both of whom will drive for Red Bull teams, with de Vries being picked out to replace Pierre Gasly after the latter’s move to Alpine. Verstappen is easily the most decorated Dutch driver of all time and the only one who’s won a race, and he along with his father, Jos, are the only Dutchmen to ever score a podium finish.
When told that his potential retirement will be a big blow to F1 fandom in the Netherlands, Verstappen replied that he hopes there will be a new talent ready to replace him when his time comes: “You know what I really hope? That as a driver I have been able to inspire and motivate the young Dutch generation in recent years in such a way that by the time I stop there may be new talent ready.”
The two-time world champion’s current contract expires in 2028 when he will be 31, and he has indicated before that he may just retire then: “It used to be said that it was impossible for the Dutch to make it to Formula 1. That is not true. If you hit the gas, it doesn’t matter where you come from. I hope that when I am 31, there will be a new one ready.”
For now, however, F1 and the Orange Army have many more years left to enjoy and take in Verstappen, who at 25, is already one of the most decorated drivers in the sport’s history, and many believe (including Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard) think that he is, or will be one of the best to ever step foot in an F1 car.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)