Max Verstappen has opened up about his long-term commitment to Red Bull, revealing he told the team's late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz that he wanted to stay with the squad for his entire career. The Dutch driver, 28, made the admission in an interview with The Times, reflecting on the loyalty that has defined his time in Formula 1.
Verstappen, who is currently signed with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, said he was proud to be a stable factor within the team. "I don't think normally the driver is, let's say, the stable factor, in terms of people leaving, so I'm proud of that," he said. "I stayed loyal to the team for a long time; they know that loyalty, for me, is a very big thing, and that's not always a given in Formula 1, but that's how I operate."
The four-time world champion also recalled a conversation he had with Mateschitz before the Austrian businessman died in 2022 at the age of 78. "I remember when Dietrich was still alive... I told him my dream - and his dream - was that I would stay here forever, as long as my career lasts," Verstappen explained. "I'm very happy that before he passed away, I said that my intention is still to fulfil that dream, and so far that is going quite well."
Verstappen, now entering his 13th season in F1 and his 11th full year with Red Bull, has also spoken candidly about retirement. In a recent appearance on the Up To Speed podcast, he admitted: "I definitely see myself nearing the end. I'd say the new regulations aren't helping to extend my Formula One career, but it doesn't matter; I'm happy with my trajectory."
He added that he now values time with family over racing longevity. "Who cares when you're 60 or 70 if you won four or 10 titles? I'm getting older, and I prefer to spend time with my family before they're gone," he said. "I want to live my life; you only live once, and I don't want to spend 25 years driving a car."
