Max Verstappen, the dominant force in modern Formula 1 and one of the sport’s most successful competitors of his generation, has made it clear that once he eventually steps away from F1 as a driver, he does not plan to return to the sport in a management or leadership position. This statement from the Dutch star has put to rest speculation that he could one day become a team boss or take on a senior off-track role within the sport that he has helped define over the past decade.
Verstappen, who has already won multiple World Championships and been at the forefront of Red Bull Racing’s success in recent seasons, is currently under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028. Even though there is a possibility he could negotiate further extensions or alterations to his deal, his comments about his post-racing ambitions suggest that his life after Formula 1 will look very different from the path taken by some other retired champions.
At 28 years old and already a four-time world champion, Verstappen has spent much of his adult life in Formula 1. He made his debut with Toro Rosso at a notably young age and quickly established himself as a top-tier driver, eventually moving to Red Bull’s main squad where his achievements have only grown. Despite all the success, the idea of transitioning into a traditional management role — such as team principal, sporting director, or another executive position within a Formula 1 team — clearly does not appeal to him.
According to Verstappen’s recent statements, he has little interest in returning to the Formula 1 paddock after retiring from driving in an official capacity that involves running the business or sporting side of a team. This essentially means that scenarios in which he might one day lead Red Bull, or even another team, are highly unlikely in his long-term plans.
Instead, Verstappen’s future ambitions appear to revolve around things that are much more personally fulfilling and outside traditional management structures. One of his passions, he has explained in interviews, lies in supporting and developing new talent — particularly those coming from racing simulators into real-world motorsport. He has suggested that helping simulate racers make the jump into real cars is something he enjoys and may want to expand further after his Formula 1 career is over.
His comments also hinted at a broader interest in motorsport outside the narrowly defined world of Formula 1 leadership. Specifically, Verstappen mentioned endurance racing — a form of motorsport very different from F1 — as one potential direction he could explore once he is no longer committed to driving a Grand Prix car. This demonstrates that his enthusiasm for racing doesn’t end with Formula 1, but that he sees his future in a variety of other areas of the automotive and sporting world.
The Dutch driver’s decision not to pursue a management role in Formula 1 is notable given the paths other top drivers have taken after hanging up their helmets. Legendary figures such as Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, for example, have remained highly visible in the sport through brand partnerships, advisory positions, or broader engagement with F1’s commercial sphere. Some retired drivers have also taken on team advisory roles or media careers that keep them close to the championship. In contrast, Verstappen seems to be choosing his own route rather than follow those traditional post-career pathways.
One of the reasons behind Verstappen’s stance might be rooted in how intensely focused he has always been as a competitor. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly stressed that his motivation has come from challenging himself, competing to win, and being part of a team environment that supports these goals. The idea of moving into an administrative or managerial role — often involving long hours of corporate work, meetings, and managerial oversight — probably doesn’t align with the high-octane lifestyle he has thrived in as a racing driver.
Instead, the things he has hinted at — such as working with simulator drivers, exploring endurance racing, or engaging with other categories of motorsport — show that Verstappen wants to stay connected to racing in ways that are directly related to passion, performance, and the thrill of competition, rather than the business and logistical side of running a team.
Another factor that might influence his decision is that his existing contract ties him to Red Bull until at least 2028. While it’s possible he could retire before the contract ends, Red Bull’s current and long-term plans include him as a central figure, and the team has been structured around his strengths and ambitions for the foreseeable future. However, even if he does stay in the sport until the end of that deal or beyond, he has made it clear that he envisions a life after racing that is completely separate from the Formula 1 leadership world.
Verstappen’s perspective on retirement also aligns with comments he has made previously about the importance of enjoyment and personal fulfillment in his career. He has acknowledged in past interviews that his enjoyment of driving — and how much fun it remains — will play a significant role in how long he continues in Formula 1. This underscores how strongly he values personal satisfaction over traditional career progression or pursuing roles that might look prestigious on paper.
In sum, Max Verstappen’s announcement that he will not return to Formula 1 in a managerial role once he retires from driving represents both a definitive statement about his future and a departure from what some fans and commentators might have expected. Rather than following a predictable path into team leadership or executive positions, he clearly wants to pursue opportunities that align with his passions — whether that means helping simulator racers break into real racing, exploring other forms of motorsport like endurance races, or devoting more time to interests outside of Formula 1 entirely.
This approach reinforces Verstappen’s identity as someone deeply committed to competition and authenticity in his career choices. It highlights that even after he eventually steps out of the cockpit, his connection to racing will likely continue — just in ways that reflect his own personal goals, interests, and enthusiasm for motorsport as a whole.
