The current Formula 1 world champion expressed his reluctance to participate in 24 races over the next decade of his career in the sport. This sentiment was echoed by Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, and Christian Horner. The upcoming 2024 F1 season is scheduled to have a record-breaking 24 races on the calendar, which many drivers and teams consider unsustainable in the long term. The reigning champion has been particularly vocal about his concerns regarding the extensive schedule.
The three-time Formula 1 world champion openly discussed the possibility of retiring early due to the excessive number of races in the 2024 season. He believes that this could be a crucial moment and hopes that future seasons will see a shift to a more manageable schedule. During a press conference before the race weekend in Bahrain, he stated that he will not continue in F1 until the age of 36 if the sport continues to have 24 races per season.
Verstappen expressed the desire to find a balance between his passion for racing and other aspects of his life. While he enjoys racing outside of Formula 1, he acknowledges that there comes a time when other priorities take precedence. This may involve pursuing projects or interests that are not related to competition.
The team manager of Red Bull Racing has become the target of an investigation following a complaint from an employee. The investigation, which began on February 1st, included a lengthy interview with Christian Horner conducted by an unidentified English lawyer. The details of the investigation have not been disclosed, but Horner has been cleared by the team.
When asked about his support for the team principal during the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior, the reigning world champion refused to comment. He simply expressed his support for the ongoing investigation and stated that he trusts the process. He believes it is not his place to discuss the matter as it does not directly involve him. He emphasized the importance of patience and waiting for the final verdict.
