Max Verstappen Retirement Rumors Sparked by Red Bull I…read more
Max Verstappen’s potential retirement at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season has become a hot topic of discussion after a surprising claim from a former Red Bull Racing insider. Calum Nicholas, a long-time mechanic and a familiar face in the Red Bull garage, recently suggested that the reigning four-time world champion could be stepping away from the sport sooner than expected — possibly at the end of this season.
Nicholas, who played a crucial part in Red Bull’s dominant campaigns in 2022 and 2023, stepped down from his role as a senior engine technician last year after 13 seasons with the team. He has since transitioned into a brand ambassador role for Red Bull and recently released his book, Life in the Pitlane. While promoting the book, Nicholas appeared on the YouTube series Driver with Lucas Stewart, where he reflected on his time at Red Bull and shared insights about the team and drivers he worked with.
When asked about Verstappen’s career trajectory and how many championships he believes the Dutchman will win, Nicholas made a bold prediction: “I think Max is going to win this year. I think Max is going to win the drivers’ this year and then he’s going to call it a day.” While he admitted he doesn’t have inside knowledge of Verstappen’s plans, his statement has fueled speculation across the F1 community, particularly as Verstappen has occasionally hinted at a desire for a shorter F1 career compared to other legends of the sport.
Verstappen, who is still only 27 years old, has already cemented himself as one of the sport’s greats. If he secures the 2025 title, it would mark his fifth consecutive championship, equaling the records of Juan Manuel Fangio and Lewis Hamilton in terms of successive wins. Despite the retirement rumors, the Dutchman’s competitive edge remains fierce, and his performance on track continues to make him a formidable title contender.
However, Verstappen’s path to the 2025 championship has not been entirely smooth. While he claimed victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix during the European triple-header, his main rivals — Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — also claimed wins and have closed the gap significantly in the standings. Piastri, in particular, now leads the drivers’ championship after a strong showing at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Verstappen endured a forgettable weekend.
A controversial collision with Mercedes driver George Russell during the Spanish GP only compounded Verstappen’s problems. The incident resulted in a 10-second time penalty and three penalty points on his Super Licence. As a result, Verstappen now finds himself just one penalty point away from receiving a race ban — a scenario that could severely jeopardize his hopes of clinching another world title.
Looking ahead, Verstappen’s immediate priority will be to stay clear of further infractions during the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix. If he can avoid additional penalties and maintain consistency, he remains a strong contender to challenge for the title despite mounting pressure from McLaren’s young talents.
Nicholas, while cautious not to claim insider knowledge about Red Bull’s internal strategies, reinforced his faith in Verstappen’s abilities. “I definitely don’t know anything but… to not back Max is just lunacy,” he said, emphasizing the reigning champion’s resilience and racecraft.
Whether or not Verstappen chooses to walk away from the sport at the end of this season remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is certain — if he can keep his record clean and bounce back from recent setbacks, Max Verstappen’s quest for a fifth title is far from over.
