Max Verstappen has been in the spotlight for a few days now. After what happened in Singapore, with the FIA pressing about the language used by the drivers, the Dutch champion did not take well to the Federation’s decision, which condemned the three-time world champion to community service, something similar to what happened in 2018 when the sanction was almost the same.
Yes, because Max is a repeat offender in this regard, although that time it was for behavior deemed inappropriate towards Esteban Ocon. At Interlagos, Ocon tried to un-lap himself with his Force India/Racing Point (it was during the transition period), and shortly after leaving the pits, he attempted to overtake Max Verstappen, who was leading the race at the time. At the Senna S, the two made contact due to the Frenchman.
Max Verstappen lost his temper, pushed his rival at the weigh-in area, and was later sanctioned with two days of community service with the FIA, serving them in Morocco in 2019, participating in the Formula E race weekend as part of race direction. The Dutchman was not yet the champion we know today, but he was in a period where he was starting to calm down, even on track, making fewer mistakes and continuing the growth that has made him the superstar he is now.
“It’s interesting to see things from the other perspective. We don’t usually have the opportunity to spend an entire day with the stewards,” Max Verstappen said at the time. “It’s fascinating to understand what goes into making such important decisions. Sometimes someone may not like it, but decisions must follow the rules. It was useful to explore a different aspect of racing, rather than just being in the car. This kind of experience was constructive for me.”
Verstappen: Final part of career with Red Bull or elsewhere?
Whether Verstappen’s statements were sincere or not, it’s hard to say. But the fact is that in recent days, the three-time world champion, rightly so, is growing increasingly intolerant of the FIA’s nonsense. Swearing in F1 has always been present. These are drivers who race at 330 km/h and cannot possibly hold back their adrenaline while driving or during a race weekend.
Let’s try to put ourselves in their shoes. Constantly answering journalists’ questions, sometimes very trivial ones, can be frustrating. Yet Max has always been very open with the media, never missing an appointment. Instead of focusing on these trivialities, Mohammed Ben Sulayem would do well to revise the general rules of this sport, which is certainly more exciting this year, but sometimes the stewards make such terrible decisions that it really dampens the enthusiasm.
This sentiment is beginning to manifest more and more in Max Verstappen’s mind: the three-time world champion recently reiterated that certain actions by the Federation could, in some way, push him away from F1. But years ago, he clearly stated that his career would in no way be comparable to that of other drivers, such as Schumacher or Hamilton, in terms of longevity.
It was thought that his contract with Red Bull, expiring in 2028, might be Max’s last, but given the recent events in Milton Keynes, with people leaving and a car struggling to stay at the top, the Dutchman could consider moving on, with Mercedes and Aston Martin lurking in the background, ready to offer money, competitive technical material, and a car capable of fighting for the world championship.
Max Verstappen doesn’t yet know what the future holds for him, but one thing is certain: his next decision will be the last of his racing career. “For me, it’s very simple: I love what I do, and as long as that’s the case, I’ll stay here and race in F1. If one day I feel the need for a change, I’ll do it. But for now, it’s not something I’m thinking about. My next step, if there is one, will be final. It could also be a renewal with the team. For now, nothing has been decided.”
Nothing new, really: Max Verstappen reiterates that this world, beyond the racing itself, doesn’t quite appeal to him. A sort of black sheep in the system, which, let’s face it, is rather admirable. Frank and honest, the Dutchman knows that the chances to win world championships won’t be endless, and he certainly doesn’t want to race until he’s 35 or 40. Let’s hope the FIA, with its bizarre ideas, doesn’t wear him out sooner than expected because talents like his, even though he’s built to win, don’t come along every day.
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