Max Verstappen's future plans may have been revealed amid claims that the Formula One champion is considering retirement.
After a chaotic Las Vegas Grand Prix saw 2025 championship leader Lando Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri disqualified post-race, race winner Verstappen is firmly back in the title race.
Heading into the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, which includes a sprint race on Saturday, Verstappen is just 24 points behind Norris and equal with Piastri.
However, while fans are talking about Verstappen and his chances of clinching his fifth successive title, reports regarding his future in the sport have began to emerge.
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And now, a new report from an F1 insider has revealed what really is happening behind the scenes regarding Verstappen's career plans.
Following former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner's dramatic exit back in July, rumours regarding Verstappen's future at the team have been rife.
Initially, it was reported that Verstappen was considering making a move to replace rival George Russell Mercedes, but more recently it has been suggested that Aston Martin are hoping to reunite him with Red Bull legend Adrian Newey.
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However, according to F1 insider Tim Hauraney, it is Verstappen who is pursuing a move to Aston Martin, not the other way around, and he's not the only one looking to join the British team.
“Aston Martin are not targeting them,” Hauraney told Nailing The Apex
“I think it’s the other way around. I think it’s Leclerc and Max who are targeting them. Sure, 100%.
“I watch Max in the paddock sometimes, he tries his best to have some conversations with some Aston Martin team personnel sometimes, have a good chuckle with everybody.
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“I can see that happening one day in the future if Aston Martin want to go in that direction. They have to be competitive, too.”
Is Max Verstappen considering retirement?
Hauraney's claims come after Verstappen raised concerns among fans with comments ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix that appeared to suggest that he was already thinking of retiring.
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"My contract runs until 2028 but it [his future] will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun," Verstappen told PA in an interview ahead of this weekend's race.
"If they are not fun, than I don't really see myself hanging around.
"Winning seven titles is not on my mind. I know that there are three more years after this one, so it could be possible, but it is not something I need to do before I leave the sport.
"I can leave the sport easily tomorrow."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ben McCrum