Verstappen sets definitive F1 retirement deadline

Max Verstappen has declared he will not be around in F1 for another 200 races as he reaches the milestone figure this weekend.

The Dutch Grand Prix is set to see the three-time world champion take part in his 200th grand prix, which will see him become the 24th driver in history to do so.

Verstappen's tenure in F1 has been highly successful with over 60 race wins and over 100 podiums to his name.

The 26-year-old has long threatened to pull the plug on his F1 career when his current contract ends in 2028 due to disagreements over the sport's direction, while also voicing interest in attempting other racing projects.

When asked if he sees himself in F1 in another 200 races, Verstappen told media including RacingNews365: “No. Nice and easy.

“We've passed halfway [for my F1 career], for sure. It's been an incredible ride. 200 races, it doesn't feel like 200.

“But of course we're doing a lot of races now in a year so you add them [up] quite quickly.”

Verstappen picks F1 career highlights

Verstappen became an F1 race winner at the age of 18 in his first-ever race with Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Five years later he secured his maiden F1 title following a season-long fight against Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen labelled the two moments as his F1 career highlights to date.

“Honestly, I think winning your very first race, that is always very emotional because you dream of that when you're a little kid,” he said. 

“To be on the podium in F1 and then being on the top step, I think it's always very special.

“[Also] winning your first championship, these kind of things, they will always be something incredible that I will look back at after my career.”