Max Verstappen teases F1 retirement plan with direct message to Mercedes and Ferrari

But it’s been widely reported that Verstappen has a performance-related exit clause in his Red Bull contract that would allow him to leave early.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made no secret of his desire to snatch Verstappen from Red Bull despite Kimi Andrea Antonelli being confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

Ferrari would also be seen as a potential option for Verstappen if he were to push for an exit from Red Bull.

Max Verstappen still has several years left on his contract

Reuters

But the current Drivers’ Championship leader won’t be looking to make multiple changes n the latter stages of his career.

“My next step, if there is one, will be my last,” he said.

“That could also mean that I renew my existing contract.

“Everything is still possible at the moment.”

Not many world champions in F1 history stick with one team for the entirety of their career as many seek new challenges in their latter years.

But Verstappen insists if he does switch teams then it will only be one or two times before he walks away from the sport.

“I have been part of this team for a long time,” he said.

“Ultimately, every driver in the paddock wants to win. It is very easy to change teams, but I don’t want my career to be marked in this way.

“I don’t want to be part of four or five different teams.”

Max Verstappen refused to deny an exit clause in his contract

PA

“I want to build a long and stable relationship with everyone in the team and I want to feel at home somewhere.

“Changing teams is not really my thing and it is not something I want to do at this stage of my career.”

Verstappen also refused to deny speculation of an exit clause in his current Red Bull contract.

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Max Verstappen is bidding to win a fourth F1 title

PA

However, the 27-year-old isn’t currently thinking about leaving Red Bull as he bids for a fourth consecutive title.

He said: “Maybe, maybe not.”

“It’s also not something I’m thinking about right now, because there’s so much I want to do better this year and everything that comes in the future is still a long way off. It’s not an issue right now.”