Source: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED
[Saba Sports News] Former F1 driver Tim Glock dropped a bombshell on a German media outlet: Max Verstappen might say goodbye to F1 early. The four-time F1 world champion’s dissatisfaction with race management is growing, along with the arrival of his first child, which has shaken his career plans. Glock bluntly said: “When he says ‘this is all so foolish,’ we must seriously consider the possibility of his exit.” The latest internal meeting notes of the Red Bull team show that Verstappen has missed three consecutive strategic meetings, and his agent secretly met with the high-level executives of Aston Martin. It is reported that the 300 million euro contract offered by Lawrence Stroll, CEO of the Aston Martin team, includes a “flexible participation clause,” allowing Verstappen to autonomously choose his race appearances. The new speech control order issued by the FIA has further complicated the situation—if drivers criticize race management, they face fines of millions of euros, which directly angered the outspoken Dutch king. Rumors are circulating in the paddock: Verstappen privately told his former teammate Sergio Perez that he considered taking a temporary break from F1 before the new regulations come into effect in 2026. Currently, Verstappen has refused renewal talks with the Red Bull team beyond 2026 and privately expressed a desire to witness every moment of his child’s growth.