Verstappen RETIREMENT verdict emerges as he is suffer from…….read more
Nico Rosberg has suggested that Max Verstappen might retire from Formula 1 earlier than expected, raising concerns about the potential impact of the sport’s mental and physical demands on the four-time world champion. Verstappen, at just 27 years old, has already firmly established himself in F1 history. He is currently third on the all-time list of race wins and is one of only six drivers to have secured four or more World Championship titles. However, Rosberg, who retired at 31 shortly after his own championship win in 2016, speculated that Verstappen might follow a similar path and step away from the sport early.
Verstappen’s fourth title in 2024 was particularly challenging, as Red Bull faced performance issues with their RB20 car throughout the season. Despite these struggles, Verstappen managed to clinch the championship, but Red Bull finished third in the Constructors’ Championship, falling behind both Mercedes and Ferrari. While Verstappen’s victory in the drivers’ standings was never seriously threatened, the competition did intensify as Lando Norris entered the title race. If Red Bull’s performance issues persist into 2025, Verstappen’s chances of securing a fifth championship could be significantly hampered, as other top drivers such as Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, and the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton are all expected to challenge for the title.
Rosberg, who was only four years older than Verstappen when he decided to retire, raised the possibility that Verstappen’s motivation could begin to diminish if Red Bull’s performance continues to falter. Rosberg pointed out that, having already achieved so much in his career, Verstappen might lose interest in the sport if the challenges become too great. He also highlighted the toll that the relentless intensity of F1 can take on a driver, both mentally and physically. Given Verstappen’s already impressive accomplishments, Rosberg believes it is entirely possible that the Dutchman could choose to retire if he feels that he has reached the peak of his career and wishes to pursue new ventures outside of racing.
For Rosberg, the decision to leave F1 was about seeking fulfillment beyond the sport, choosing to focus on investing and punditry after reaching the pinnacle of racing success. He said that if Verstappen feels he has achieved everything he set out to accomplish, he could understandably decide to retire early in search of new challenges and opportunities in life. While it may seem unlikely given Verstappen’s current dominance, the pressures of F1, coupled with the mental and physical toll it takes, could eventually prompt him to consider life beyond racing at an earlier age than many might expect.
