Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has suggested that Max Verstappen may retire from Formula One earlier than expected. Horner made these comments while discussing Verstappen's "ambitions beyond racing." The Dutch driver recently secured his third consecutive world championship title after finishing second in the Qatar GP sprint race on Saturday. Let's dive into the details.
A Dominating Season for Verstappen
At just 26 years old, Verstappen has achieved what no other driver has done before. He became the first driver to win a title during a sprint event, which is a short-form format introduced in 2021. Verstappen has been in complete control this season, winning 13 out of the 16 races and securing podium finishes in two more.
Horner Hints at Retirement
Despite Verstappen's success, Horner believes that the Dutchman may not continue racing into his thirties. Horner recently stated, "He can go on to achieve so much more. We are riding a wave at the moment, and we want to continue riding that wave for as long as we can. Will Max be in Formula One for a long, long time? I don't think so. He has ambitions beyond F1 and beyond racing, and at 26, 36 seems a long way away. We have a long-term agreement with him until 2028, and he has always said he will be happy to start and end his career here, but motivation will be a crucial factor."
Setting Records
Verstappen has already made history this season. He broke Michael Schumacher's record by achieving 10 consecutive wins. However, he did have two early victories by Sergio Perez and one by Carlos Sainz in Singapore that marred his otherwise flawless record.
A Massive Lead
Verstappen's dominance can also be seen in the championship standings. He currently leads his teammate by a staggering 184 points. With this victory, he became the 11th driver to win at least three titles and only the fifth to secure a hat-trick in a row.
It remains to be seen how Verstappen's career will unfold in the coming years. Will he retire early to pursue his other ambitions, or will his passion for racing keep him in Formula One for longer than expected? Only time will tell.
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