Max Verstappen, a dominant force in Formula 1 with four world titles, addressed swirling retirement speculation in a candid interview with The Athletic. Contrary to common rumors that retirement might be imminent, Verstappen emphasized that his decision to continue racing hinges on passion rather than financial gain.

“People sometimes hang around maybe to create more money, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t come first,” he said. The motivating factor, he explained, is the “hunger to win” and the joy of working with a team he respects. As long as these remain, Verstappen said he will keep driving, though when exactly that moment will come remains unknown.

Notably, Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull runs through 2028, and while he has been linked with a potential switch to Mercedes, team principal Toto Wolff recently quashed those rumors, focusing instead on his current drivers. Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull appears solid for now, but his long-term future beyond his contract is still undecided.

Fatherhood and Family Life: The Other Side of the Champion

Adding a poignant layer to the conversation is Verstappen’s recent transition into fatherhood. In May 2025, partner Kelly Piquet gave birth to their daughter, a milestone Verstappen admits has made the sacrifices demanded by his career even more apparent.

He expressed how much he misses seemingly mundane family moments—“just casually rocking up for a weekend or just hanging out on the couch, sitting together on a lazy day, or just after a normal work day.”

The physical distance between him and his family, amplified by the relentless global F1 calendar, compounds this loss. Verstappen hopes that someday his life might offer a more normal rhythm, but for now, the sport’s demands weigh heavily.

Balancing Championship Ambition with Life's Realities

Despite flashes of frustration during a challenging 2025 season—including a rare non-finish at the Austrian Grand Prix—Verstappen remains focused on pursuing more titles. A former Red Bull mechanic predicted he might retire after clinching the 2025 championship, but Verstappen himself stresses it’s about more than trophies: the experience must remain fulfilling and energizing.

Verstappen’s reflections paint a portrait of a champion balancing elite ambition with growing personal priorities. The hunger that powered his rapid ascent still burns bright, but his acknowledgement of what he’s “already missing out on” adds a humanizing dimension to one of Formula 1’s most compelling stars.

Fans can expect Verstappen to race fiercely as long as that flame endures, while closely watching for when the balance tips and a new chapter begins.