MAX VERSTAPPEN has once again hinted at a possible retirement with his latest comments.
The two-time world champion has lit the fire under retirement rumours with his critical comments regarding sprint races and the ever-increasing calendar size.
GettyMax Verstappen has once again hinted at a possible retirement[/caption]
Before topping the only Practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend – which was red-flagged after a car set on fire – Verstappen questioned whether the increased amount races would actually be a good thing.
He said: “I always said that even if there won’t be any more sprint races, if we keep expanding the calendar and the whole weekend is that long, at one point you question yourself: is it worth it?
“I do like racing. I do like winning. I know that, of course, there is the salary and everything, and you have a good life. But is it actually a good life?
“I think sometimes you get to a point in your career where maybe you want to do other stuff.
“I have the contract until the end of 2028 and then we’ll review again, but I do feel that if it’s getting at one point too much, then it’s time for a change.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of a 30-race calendar being implemented by 2030.
The current Concorde agreement between teams and F1 limits the number of races in a season to 24.
However, with this expiring in 2025, the calendar could see expansion once again.
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Indeed, Domenicali previously told Sky Sports: “I would say there is potential to go to 30. In terms of the interest we see all around the world.”
Verstappen has been an outspoken critic of the new formats and ideas being thrown around.
He blasted: “I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races.
“We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that.”
Verstappen reportedly earns a salary of £42million-a-year.