The world champion has made no secret of his distaste for sprint racing and his comments on the topic at the Australian Grand Prix were interpreted by some as a threat to their exit.

But ahead of the year’s first F1 sprint weekend in Baku, Verstappen has laid out his real thoughts on his future grand prix participation after his current contract expires in 2028.

Plus: Why Verstappen’s F1 sprint ‘exit threat’ isn’t rooted in reality

He has made it clear that it is more important to him that the general conditions of F1 and the demands on the drivers are more important than factors like sprint races that determine what he does.

Asked by Autosport whether he would actually leave F1 because of the sprint races, Verstappen said: “I guess I’ve always said that even if there won’t be any more sprint races, if we continue to expand the schedule, the whole Weekends are long stretches of time where you question yourself – is it worth it?

“I love racing. I love winning. I know, of course there’s the salary and stuff, you’re doing well. But is it really the good life?

“I think sometimes you get to a point in your career where you might want to do something else. My contract is until the end of 2028 and then we’ll review it again, but I do feel that if at some point it becomes Too much, then it’s time for a change.”

He added: “It sounds weird to outsiders because they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re in Formula 1, you win!’ I would probably say the same when I’m in their position.

“But once you’re in it, it’s not always how it looks or how people see your life. I mean, yeah, it’s great, it’s great, I can do so many things. I’m independent. But there are always limits to certain things.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, first, with his medal on the podium

Photography: Mark Sutton/ motorsport pictures

Verstappen said that while he fully understood the commercial reasons for F1 to pursue ideas such as sprint racing, he was only interested in the purity of the car – a spectacle he felt didn’t benefit too much from it.

“Probably F1 from a commercial point of view,” he said. “I understand short races, they can add a little bit of excitement, but I’m looking at it from a racing point of view.

“And I thought, ‘Well, normally when you do a sprint race, the first lap is exciting, a little bit of diversion here and there, damage, crap, crap, crap, and the safety car, more Exciting.

Plus: The winners and losers of F1’s new sprint format

“But throughout the race you get a good idea of ​​what’s going on and who’s fastest, so you also get a good idea of ​​what’s going to happen the next day.

“It might take some shine off the main event, which I think should always be the special event.”

Endurance but not the future of IndyCar

Verstappen said that while F1 has provided him with all the satisfaction he needs now, he is eager to compete in other series – particularly endurance racing – in the future.

“Some people just love racing and it’s the only thing they know and the only thing they want to do,” he said.

“I’m probably more in the middle. I mean, I do like racing. But I also want to do other types of racing. And then you can’t combine the two or set up other types of things.”

The switch to enduro will give him the chance to team up with his dad Jos – although he has expressed interest in having his own team as well.

Asked if his father would be young enough to race with him at Le Mans in the future, Verstappen said: “I keep telling him time is passing, he’s getting old. But even if it wasn’t my dad, we would.” will see.

“I even have the passion to build my own team. I have so many things I want to do besides drive myself.”

One thing Verstappen has already ruled out is a move to the US and racing IndyCar.

“I love watching IndyCar,” he said. “I think there are a lot of great drivers out there, as well as my rivals, so I have a good connection with them. I like to see them do well.

“But I drive the Indy 500? Absolutely not. I might go there to watch the race, but not to the race.”