Max Verstappen continues to dominate Formula 1 in the still young 2023 season and is again leading the Drivers’ World Championship after three of 23 races. The two-time champion is poised to become one of the greatest racers of all time. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has now commented on Verstappen’s possible plans for the future.
“Max is his own boss and very, very strong in his opinion and attitude about what he wants to do in life,” said the Briton in an interview with “Sky Sports”.
As the youngest Formula 1 debutant of all time, the Dutchman has already contested over 160 races in the premier class of motorsport and clinched 37 victories. Verstappen has won two world titles in 2021 and 2022 to date and has long had his sights set on the hat-trick this year.
Despite all the current enthusiasm for Formula 1, team boss Horner does not believe that Verstappen wants to stay in the racing series for as long as Fernando Alonso, who will be 42 this July.
Verstappen tied to Red Bull until 2028
“I don’t see him still racing like Fernando Alonso at 41 or 42. Maybe somewhere else than in Formula 1 – his love and passion is racing,” said Horner, who also worked with Red Bull last year for the first time since 2013 had again become constructors’ world champion.
“His passion is just racing. As long as it burns in him, he will continue. But how long it burns is different for each individual. Everyone has to find out for themselves.”
The two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso had already declared his F1 career over after the 2018 season before he spectacularly returned to Alpine in 2021 and has been driving successfully for Aston Martin since this year.
Max Verstappen currently has the longest-term of all contracts in Formula 1 and is tied to Red Bull until the end of 2028.
