Max Verstappen stance stuns former F1 team-mate: 'I don't understand people who say that'

Carlos Sainz has shared his bafflement with the view espoused by Max Verstappen and others who have contemplated walking away from Formula 1 voluntarily, insisting he will fight to remain on the grid for as long as possible.

The Williams driver's comments, after signing a new multi-year contract extension with the Grove-based team, stand in stark contrast to the stance of his former team-mate Verstappen, who admitted during his own recent contract negotiations that he was "closer to retiring than changing team."

Verstappen, who has repeatedly stated he does not intend to race into his 40s as Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have done, signed a new deal with Red Bull through the end of 2030.

The four-time drivers' champion made his F1 debut at just 17 alongside Sainz at Toro Rosso in 2015 and was a grand prix winner at 18.

He previously indicated that the contract he has just signed would be his last, though that obviously remains to be seen, with the deal expiring just a couple of months after he turns 33.

Others have walked away even more dramatically. Nico Rosberg famously retired just five days after winning the 2016 drivers' title, choosing to leave at the absolute peak of his powers rather than defend his crown.

Sainz, at almost 32, clearly has no such inclinations.

Asked about his long-term future given that Hamilton, at 41, and Alonso, at 45, are still racing, the four-time grand prix winner was clear in his perspective.

"Looking at what Fernando and Lewis are still capable of doing, and also Nico [Hulkenberg], who is a few years older than me, it confirms to me that you can maintain a very high level of driving for a long time," Sainz told Autosport.

"I'm fortunate to be in a sport that allows you to remain at this level for many years. I also have an example in my own family... My father Carlos isn't in Formula 1, but at 63 he's still competitive, and two years ago he won the Dakar.

"If you look after your physical condition and maintain strong motivation, you can extend your career for a long time.

"You need to be in a good place mentally, because you also have to factor in all the travelling, as well as the marketing and media commitments. Putting those aspects aside, I think you can keep going until you're 45."

Sainz unsure what do in the 'second half' of his life

The Spaniard then left little doubt about where he stands relative to those who have talked openly about quitting.

"Right now, yes. I think I'll stay in Formula 1 for as long as I can. I don't understand people who say 'no'," Sainz said.

"It's strange, because my theory is that at 40 you're not even halfway through your life, and I ask myself what I'm going to do in the second half of it.

"I enjoy playing golf, cycling, playing padel and challenging myself with business activities, but even if I put all of those things together, they still don't give me the same enjoyment I get from being where I am today.

"I'm aware of how fortunate I am to be part of this sport. It's true that 24 races are a lot and that there are many other commitments around them, but when I go to bed at night, I remind myself that I wouldn't trade all of this for anything in the world."