Max Verstappen firmly rules out future F1 team principal role

Max Verstappen has definitively stated he has no interest in becoming a Formula 1 team principal after he retires from driving, citing the role's immense demands and his desire for a different lifestyle post-F1.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's declaration offers a rare glimpse into his long-term vision beyond the cockpit. As one of the sport's biggest stars and a four-time champion, his perspective on the future leadership landscape within F1 teams is significant. It underscores the personal sacrifices required for top-tier management roles and highlights a generational shift where top drivers may prioritize personal freedom over staying in the F1 paddock in a high-pressure capacity.

The details:

• Verstappen, currently under contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028, was responding to a suggestion that he would make a good team boss.
• He emphatically rejected the idea, stating, "No way, no way!" and joked about the prospect.
• His primary practical objection is the requirement to live in England or Italy, the hubs for most F1 team operations, which does not appeal to him.
• He described the team principal role as "too big — far too big," indicating he views the responsibility and workload as overwhelming and not aligned with his post-driving aspirations.
• Verstappen imagines that after years in F1, a driver is "done with it for a while," preferring to step away from the relentless, all-consuming environment.

Looking ahead:

Verstappen's future plans remain focused on racing, but on his own terms. He has consistently expressed a strong desire to compete in endurance racing, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, once his F1 career concludes. His vision involves competing "on a smaller scale and in my own way," suggesting a pursuit of racing for pure enjoyment rather than within the corporate and political structure of a top F1 team. This stance firmly closes one potential post-driving chapter while clearly opening another in different motorsport disciplines.