Horner hints at possible Verstappen F1 retirement trigger

Christian Horner has hinted that as soon as Max Verstappen falls out of love with F1, he will retire. 

Verstappen does have a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, with Mercedes particularly keen to secure his services should he depart the Milton Keynes squad. 

The now four-time world champion has been particularly vocal in the past about his dislike for the direction he feels F1 is headed in, especially around sprint races and the adoption of more street tracks to the calendar. 

He has previously indicated that he will not continue to race into his 40s like Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton, meaning he will be off the grid by the end of the 2036 season at the latest, with the Dutchman due to turn 40 in September 2037. 

When asked about Verstappen's long-term future, Horner indicated that as soon as Verstappen falls out of love with grand prix racing, he will retire. 

"Honestly, Max is his own man and from the conversations I've had, it's clear he doesn't see himself as a Fernando or Lewis and being around the sport for the next 15 years or so," he told select media including RacingNews365.

"He's got interests outside of Formula 1, he enjoys driving GT cars, he enjoys driving simulators, he enjoys driving LMP cars - and there are certain things that he's very old school about in many respects. 

"Some of the noise and circus around Formula 1 doesn't sit comfortably with him, and so long as he is getting enjoyment out of what he does, he'll do it. 

"As soon that as that enjoyment drops, he's got the strength of character and personality to say: 'Do you know what, I'm going to go and drive GTs next year'. 

"He's unique in that Formula 1 doesn't define him, he enjoys and loves it, but as soon as that enjoyment dips, he would go and do something else. 

"We are very grateful that he is our driver, and hopefully that will remain the case for many years to come, until at least 2028, but nobody has a crystal ball."