Verstappen acknowledges he may never win F1 title
The Dutchman became just the fifth driver in the history of the sport to win four world titles in succession
Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' standings
Max Verstappen has accepted he may never win another Formula One world title if the circumstances do not favour him.
Verstappen survived a late charge from the McLaren of Lando Norris in 2024 to win his fourth consecutive drivers' championship, all of which have been with Red Bull.
The Dutchman became just the fifth driver in the history of the sport to win four world titles in succession, but it seems as though his chances of another success in 2025 are gone.
Indeed, Verstappen finds himself third in the drivers' standings, 104 points adrift of leader Oscar Piastri and 70 behind Norris with nine races of the season remaining.
"I think this has already been more than I could have ever dreamed of, you know, back in the day," Verstappen told ESPN.
"So, of course, I'm very happy and proud of what I have achieved so far, and you never know, maybe you will not win a championship again.
"That's something that can happen, but it's not really on my mind."
Verstappen has always expressed his desire to explore other options in the motorsport scene, despite his success over the last 10 years in F1.
Indeed, he recorded the most victories in a single season in the competition's history when winning 19 races during the 2023 campaign. He also holds second place in those charts, having won 15 races one year earlier.
During that remarkably dominant season two years ago, he also put together the most consecutive race wins, standing on the top stop 10 times in a row between the Miami Grand Prix and the Italian Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old's future has been the subject of speculation this season, with a switch to rivals Mercedes mooted but failing to materialise.
While reflecting on his options for the future, the four-time champion said he is open to one day getting involved in a backroom team.
"I have a lot of plans and things around racing, but that doesn't necessarily always need my involvement 100%, I think, in the future," Verstappen added.
"But of course, in the beginning, it's super important to set everything up really well. But those plans are for the future, down the line.
"I would like to drive a little bit more [after F1], but I also actually don't mind the more like the manager side of things, you know, to see other drivers compete in your car, your team.
"So yeah, I mean, it's not so easy to fully answer that right now. It also just depends a bit on how much fun it all is.
"You know, for myself, how fast you are as well, because at one point you will get slower with age and then maybe it's better to put the young guys in... because you don't want to also look like an idiot!"
