Max Verstappen has issued a stark warning about his Formula 1 future, saying he may retire as early as 2031 if the sport continues with its demanding 24-race calendar. The four-time world champion, currently 28, told Dutch broadcaster Viaplay he doesn't envision racing until age 34 with such a lengthy season.

"I don't see myself driving in Formula 1 until I'm 44, let alone with 24 races per season," Verstappen said in an end-of-season interview. "Even being in F1 at 34 would be too much."

The comments suggest Verstappen could have as few as five more seasons in the sport, despite his contract with Red Bull running through 2028. This comes after a 2025 campaign in which he narrowly lost the drivers' championship to Lando Norris by just two points, though he won eight races—more than any other driver. 

Growing Concerns Over Schedule

Verstappen's criticisms echo concerns raised by other drivers about the physical and mental toll of F1's expanding calendar. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso recently described the sport's travel demands as unacceptable, citing a brutal end-of-season stretch that included a 17-hour flight and a 13-hour time difference between Las Vegas and Qatar.

"I don't think any other sport in the world would accept that," Alonso said after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has defended the 24-race schedule, arguing that it remains manageable compared to other global sports with 80 to 100 events per season. "Of course, the end of the season is tough, but these are incredible professionals who love what they do," Domenicali told L'Equipe.

The 2026 season will again feature 24 races, including a new venue in Madrid.

Life Beyond F1

Verstappen's priorities may be shifting beyond the racetrack. He and partner Kelly Piquet welcomed their first child together, daughter Lily, in May 2025. The Dutch driver has also expressed interest in sim racing, GT competitions, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

His future appears contingent on remaining competitive. "The length of Verstappen's career may well rest upon how long he can be challenging for championships," one analysis noted, with the driver "unlikely to be wanting to run in the midfield".