Will Verstappen leave after 2028? Marko: 'Depends on how the sport develops'

Max Verstappen has a contract with his current team Red Bull Racing until 2028. The Dutchman has spoken out on several occasions about wanting to leave Formula 1 after that season. Helmut Marko can imagine Verstappen doing so.

Verstappen is enjoying a hugely successful period in Formula 1, but the two-time world champion has previously expressed his desire to do other things in motorsport. Red Bull advisor Marko addresses Motorsport-Magazin.com on Verstappen's future. "The only thing stopping Verstappen is himself. I don't think he will continue as long as Alonso, for example, but that at some point he will say, 'It's been nice like this.'"

"It definitely depends on how the sport develops," says Marko. What the Dutchman would like to do after F1 is not entirely clear, although Verstappen did once express his desire to drive the 24 Hours of Le Mans with father Jos Verstappen. "Then he will just do something he likes, where there si no pressure," Marko said.

Life as a Formula 1 driver may seem like fun, but there are a lot of things involved, Marko helps remind. "People should not forget that he has to spend one day in the simulator before each race. He may have reduced PR and marketing obligations, but they are still there. He also has to build and maintain his fitness. That leaves relatively little free time."