Max Verstappen has again dropped another broad hint that he could retire from F1 when his current contract with Red Bull expires.
Verstappen's occasional disenchantment with Formula 1 in recent times has led to questions being posed to the three-time champion as to what could happen post-2028 as just three years remain on his agreement.
The 27-year-old has never ducked the issue, particularly as he has become frustrated with the growing expansion of the calendar to 24 races and six sprints, the latter of which he has never had time for.
Add in the most recent furores surrounding his use of the f-word in an official FIA press conference and his racing incidents with title rival Lando Norris that drew into the spotlight the art of racing, then it is no wonder Verstappen has doubts, particularly as he wants to savour other motorsports.
"At the moment, I have a contract until [2028]," he said, speaking to Road & Track. "I'll be 31 years old at the end of it. Of course that is still very young, but I started when I was 17. That's a long time in Formula 1.
"For me, it depends on how the new cars will be to drive from '26 onwards. Are they enjoyable to drive? The amount of races, how much you're away from home. It's demanding.
"It doesn't matter if you're very successful or not. For me, that doesn't matter. Of course, we've already won a lot in Formula 1.
"For me, it's not that I have to stick around and try to prove myself. I don't have this desire to win eight or nine titles.
"[So] I'm very open-minded at the moment. I'm like, 'Let's just see, wait until the real car is there, how it drives, and go from there'.
"It's not just about the driving experience, it's the whole package, how it comes together. I'm not really stressed about my future. I want to enjoy it and of, course, I want to do well. I want to win. It's also about enjoying what you're doing."
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Verstappen eyes Le Mans and Daytona
Despite the recent uproar on topics, Verstappen insists he is "happy" with what he is doing in F1.
But as a pure motorsport enthusiast, he also has a wandering eye and can see the lure of competing in other series.
"I also want to do other stuff and at one point I also want to do fewer races," he said. "Naturally, when you do an endurance championship, it is a little bit less.
"The one race [Le Mans] is more intense, being 24 hours, but you do have more free time, you can plan your schedule a bit more.
"For most of the year, every week, you know exactly what you're doing. It's maybe a bit more relaxed, and you can maybe enjoy a bit more life outside of racing."
The Daytona 24 Hours is another event on Verstappen's radar, but like Le Mans, the F1 schedule means it is impossible to attempt a crack at either.
After sampling an Acura ARX-06 this week that runs in the GTP class, Verstappen knows his interest in Daytona has been piqued again.
"It's not about teasing [a 2025 start in Daytona] or whatever," he said following his run. "I know I want to do it in the future anyway. It's just finding the time.
"With such a busy F1 schedule it's almost impossible because we finish so late in the season. To properly prepare before you head to Daytona, it's pretty impossible. I know that when I want to do it, I want to go there and try to win it, be really competitive."
"The only way to do so is by doing some proper testing and getting really well prepared. Which is not possible at the moment, but who knows? Maybe in a few years' time. I'll still be young - young-ish - and I'll still be able to drive the cars."
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