Max Verstappen is \u201cdefinitely closer to the end\u201d of his Formula 1 career, and reaffirmed that the new regulations are doing little to slow down that path to the moment where he will walk away.<\/p>\n
Verstappen<\/a> claims that he can \u201ceasily\u201d leave behind Formula 1, his career already one that satisfies him. Verstappen opened up on a friends and family skiing trip ahead of F1 2026, which hammered home to him that he wants to \u201clive my life\u201d, one which does not involve spending \u201c25 years of that in a racing car.\u201d<\/p>\n Max Verstappen questions longevity under 2026 Formula 1 regulations<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Verstappen has spoken previously about the topic of retirement from Formula 1, making it clear that he does not intend to follow the Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton model and race until his 40s.<\/p>\n Having broken into Formula 1 as the sport\u2019s youngest ever driver, debuting at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix aged 17, Verstappen has gone on to become an F1 icon, winning four World Championships and performing at a level which has seen him enter the conversation of all-time F1 greats.<\/p>\n A new era for Formula 1 begins in 2026, though the revamped regulations have attracted criticism from Verstappen, centred around the increased battery management which will be required.<\/p>\n Verstappen referenced the new rules in his response on the Up to Speed podcast, when asked where he currently is on his timeline to exiting Formula 1.<\/p>\n Speaking from Bahrain testing, he responded: \u201cDefinitely closer to the end, that\u2019s for sure [laughs].<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, it\u2019s a tough one. I would say, of course, the current regulations are not helping the longevity of my career in Formula 1, let\u2019s say it like that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m very happy with my career anyway already in Formula 1. I can easily leave it behind. I have a lot of other projects.<\/p>\n More on Max Verstappen from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n FIA\u2019s Nikolas Tombazis responds to Max Verstappen criticism over 2026 cars<\/a><\/p>\n Max Verstappen\u2019s crucial advice to Isack Hadjar as he takes on \u2018hardest job\u2019 in F1 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAnd also, I mean, who actually cares when you\u2019re 60 or 70 years old, if you have won four titles or 10? Because you\u2019re getting old, and I prefer to spend that with my family and really spend time with them before they are also not there anymore. That\u2019s something that over time and realisation, I start to see.<\/p>\n \u201cLast week, I was skiing with good friends and family and my sister\u2019s boyfriend, they\u2019re getting married, so I realised, like, this is fantastic, being able to spend a few days together and appreciate life, for sure.<\/p>\n \u201cWho cares, trying to go 24 times a year around the world, trying to hunt for another title, and when you\u2019re 60 years old or whatever, like, I don\u2019t care if I win four or eight.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to live my life. You only live once. And I don\u2019t want to spend 25 years of that racing a car. So I want to also just appreciate life and what is out there.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, yeah, we\u2019ll see. Maybe I sound a bit dramatic now, but I just don\u2019t want to keep hunting or keep trying to live only for racing.\u201d<\/p>\n Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2028.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n