Verstappen reveals factor that could extend F1 career

Max Verstappen has indicated a return to the V10 era could provide him with the necessary reason to extend his career in F1.

Verstappen is currently contracted to Red Bull through to the end of 2028, and whether he sees out that deal, or moves to another team for two to three years in the near future remains open to conjecture.

At this stage, the feeling is Verstappen is unlikely to extend his career beyond 2028 for several reasons. He has made no secret of the fact he wants to try other motorsports, plus, he has become increasingly frustrated with what he sees as the over-regulation of F1, and the continual increase in the number of races, with six sprints on the calendar alongside the 24 races.

One topic that has become a recurring theme in F1 at present is the potential return to V10 engines, albeit running with sustainable fuels that would make them far more environmentally friendly compared to their predecessors.

At present, F1 is heavily invested to its revamp of the current power unit which, for 2026, will see the removal of the MGU-H, and the introduction of 100 per cent sustainable fuels. It has resulted in the arrival of Audi, the return of Ford, whilst GM joins the party in 2028.

As to whether V10s, with their screaming sound, could ever make a return to F1, even with sustainable fuels, appear to a fanciful but topical talking point.

As for four-time F1 champion Verstappen's feelings on whether V10s were a thing of the past or was something that could be addressed, he said: "I'm not in charge of the rules. But of course, for the pure emotion of the sport, a V10 is definitely much better than what we have now.

"Because I remember as a kid, when you walk around and you heard the noise of the engines, it just brings so much more, even if the speed of the car was maybe slower.

"Just the feeling you got from an engine like that is something that you can't describe compared to what we have now."

Pointedly asked on whether returning to V10s would make him 'hang around' in F1 if he knew they would return, his answer was eye-opening. "Maybe. Yeah," he said. "It's definitely more exciting than what we have currently."