When Max Verstappen leaves F1, he’s gone for good

Max Verstappen is one of the most dominant figures in modern Formula 1, a four-time world champion whose relentless pursuit of success has reshaped the sport.

But as much as Verstappen has lived and breathed F1 for the last decade, his own words make it clear that when it’s time to walk away, he plans to do so without lingering in the paddock or seeking a return in any official capacity. In his view, a post-F1 life doesn’t include coming back to Formula 1. And that’s perfectly fine with him.

In recent interviews, Verstappen explicitly ruled out a return to F1 after retirement in the typical ways fans might expect.

Asked about his future beyond driving, he said plainly: “while I like being in F1 as a driver, I don’t think I would ever come back to F1 in a management role, let’s put it like that”, emphasising that he doesn’t envision himself returning to a team principal position or similar office within the sport once his career on track is over.

It's not the average stance from a figure so closely associated with the sport. Instead of plotting how to remain within the Formula One ecosystem for decades, Verstappen is already looking toward other pursuits that genuinely energise him. 

When asked what he’s passionate about outside racing, he replied with a laugh: “Racing. But not racing, not even necessarily myself.”

The Dutch star has consistently emphasised that Formula One is a chapter, albeit a very important one, of his life, not its entirety. He has said that he wants to help bring simulator racers into real-world racing, supporting projects that give young talent a chance to step up.

As he put it, “That happened this year already, and he’s doing very well. I just want to try to grow that project naturally, because that is definitely something that I enjoy a lot.”

Those kinds of initiatives reflect his genuine motorsport enthusiasm without tying him down to F1 bureaucracies.

Verstappen’s future ambitions extend beyond sim projects too, into the world of GT and endurance racing, where many drivers find a more balanced, enjoyable way to keep racing without the relentlessness of Formula One. He has expressed a clear love for these kinds of competitions and the unique challenges they offer.

In fact, his own racing team, Verstappen.com Racing, entered the GT World Challenge Europe with an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, demonstrating his desire to be closely involved in GT racing and help others thrive there. 

On the practical side, Verstappen has also been linked with endurance classics like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (N24).While scheduling depends on several factors, these races represent the kind of racing that appeals to him once the rigours of F1 no longer dominate his calendar.

He's also been racing under the pseudo name 'Franz Herman'. 

“It depends on what happens in F1 and what manufacturer we are racing with in the GT3 team as well… But if there’s an opportunity and I feel good about it, plus whatever is happening in F1, then for sure,” he said regarding potential endurance starts. 

These sentiments share quite clearly that Verstappen will not linger in the shadows of F1 once he calls it quits on the sport - but rather move on gracefully, keep racing for as long as he's challenged and help build the future of motorsport.