Verstappen’s surprising reflection on his future: “Is it worth it?”

Max Verstappen It is one of the main pillars of current F1. He ‘Great Circus’ He needs figures like the Dutchman to stay in his sport as long as possible. However, the owners of the world’s largest motorsport competition are working hard to increase audiences and make their product more attractive to television and the public. The model where the F1 approaching cities with more and more urban events, more and more sprint races (last year there were 3, and after the revision of the new sprint format, this year there will be 6 in total ) and the clear intention that the calendar be wider. .

Gone are the 19 races of a few years ago. In 2018 there were 21. In 2021 and 2022, 22 events. And in 2023, 24 preliminary tests were planned, but China’s cancellation left it at 23. And F1’s goal is to continue increasing that number. “We can make F1 30 races”said last year F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, by emphasizing the great interest of many cities around the world, including Africa, in joining the calendar. But on the other side of the business interests, it is necessary to see if that is viable for the teams.

One of the main contenders regarding the possible increase in the number of races each year is its current champion, Max Verstappen. “I don’t agree with having 22 races a year, we should only go to the best circuits in the world. I know they want to make money, but they also need to know that the mechanics do a great job every time race weekend. They could leave F1 if seasons continue this long,” he commented in 2022.

“For the drivers, it’s fine, we love to race, but the mechanics are not fine. They also have families and children.pointed out his companion ‘Czech’ Perez. “For the drivers, it’s not a problem, they can do up to 30 races, they only have three or four days out. But for the rest it’s a problem, because they spend up to five or six days on the circuits, the mechanics should ask for a divorce directly if there are more races,” added Max, who last week was issued a notice to reflect.

Verstappen’s threat?

Verstappen has threatened a few weeks ago that there is a possibility of leaving F1 if they continue to make changes to the format in search of more spectacle, with more intense weekends like in Baku. And last week, he even went to the calendar. “If we keep expanding the schedule and the whole weekend is too long, you ask yourself: ‘Is it worth it?’ I like racing, winning, and of course, for salary and all, you have a good life, but… is it really a good life? I think sometimes you come to a point in your career where you might want to do other things.”commented Max.

“I know that my contract runs until 2028 and we will review it again. But I feel that if at any point too much has been done, then it’s time for a change. I think you always have to talk to yourself and ask yourself: ‘are you still motivated and love what you do?’ For now, that’s the case, but there will definitely come a point where you want to do other things too.

“Sometimes it seems strange to people outside, because they say: ‘oh yeah, you’re in F1 and you’re winning!’ I probably said the same thing in his place, but once you’re there, it’s not always what you look like or what people in your life think. Yes, is cool. It’s incredible, I can do so much. I’m very independent, but always limited in some things”he thought.

“Some people love racing, and that’s all they know or all they want to do. I’m kind of in the middle. I love racing, but I also want to do other types of racing or other things. When you do this many races, not just the drivers, but also the staff and the team, there are a lot of people who will fight against that”, concluded Max, saying goodbye earlier than expected. You don’t want records: “I’m not interested in winning 7 or 8 titles”. Max is a winning machine. but he is also human