03/07/2025 16:45
Max Verstappen has ruled out the possibility of taking a sabbatical
from the F1 grid as rumours over his future intensify. The
four-time champion has also suggested he will look to incorporate
other racing programmes alongside his F1 duties going forward.
Verstappen has been linked with a switch to Mercedes ahead of the
sport's new era in 2026 under fresh technical regulations. However,
with various unknowns over the pecking order of next year's grid,
it has been suggested Verstappen could seek to take a year out and
return for the following season when he has an overview of the
competitive order. Verstappen indicated he has no intention of
leaving the grid in the very near future despite his interest in
other racing comeptions. "[I'll race] F1 for sure and I'll try in
the future, combine it with any kind of other racing that is
possible, that I can prepare for," he told media including
RacingNews365 . "Because I do want to explore a bit out of F1 which
I'm already doing with testing, but eventually also racing." When
asked if there would be a sabbatical from F1, Verstappen replied:
"No, no, for sure [not]." Max Verstappen reserved over Mercedes F1
links Verstappen enters the British Grand Prix weekend with major
scrutiny over a potential switch to Mercedes hanging over his head.
When asked about the links, Verstappen remained tight-lipped over
the subject, as was the case one week ago. "I have nothing else to
add compared to what I said last week [in Austria], to be
honest," he said. "Everything that I've said that week is still the
same. Nothing has changed from my side." Verstappen is looking for
a return to form following a difficult event in Spielberg, where he
was eliminated on the opening lap of the grand prix following
contact with Kimi Antonelli. With the result leaving him 61 points
adrift in the drivers' championship, Verstappen labelled it as a
missed opportunity. "Last week we didn't have a great result," he
said. "I think it was not a great weekend, but also a bit unlucky
in general. "I don't say that we would have been challenging
McLaren, but we could have had a decent result."
