Max Verstappen Reveals Future GT Racing Ambitions: From F1 Champion to Team Principal
In a revealing interview, three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen outlined his post-retirement plans to transition into a team principal role in GT racing, emphasizing talent and performance. His approach marks a significant shift from his current F1 career, promising a “no bulls**t” leadership style.
Key Takeaways:
- Transition to Team Management: Verstappen, expressing discontent with the current state of F1, has hinted at retiring by 2028. His post-retirement plans involve moving away from being a driver to becoming a team manager in GT racing, focusing on nurturing raw talent.
- Fostering New Talent: With an existing involvement in E-sports and sim racing, Verstappen’s future ambition is to establish a team that values skill and talent over online presence and external connections. His goal is to create a platform for emerging drivers.
- Straightforward Leadership Philosophy: Verstappen envisions a leadership style that is direct and performance-focused. He aims to distance his team from the distractions of social media and unnecessary hype, focusing purely on winning and performance.
Max Verstappen, known for his exceptional skill on the Formula 1 tracks, has recently discussed his potential exit from the sport by the end of his current contract with Red Bull in 2028. His disillusionment with the direction of Formula 1 has prompted him to consider a future in GT racing as a team principal. Verstappen’s passion for motorsport is evident, as he plans to leverage his experience to nurture upcoming talent in the racing world.
Verstappen already has a foothold in the world of E-sports and simulation racing. His aim is not just to manage a team but to cultivate a nurturing environment for skilled drivers. In a detailed conversation with Blick, Verstappen elaborated on his ambitions:
“That is my goal. I don’t necessarily want to drive myself, but I want to build something big and give talented drivers a chance. That doesn’t mean that I want to take them into Formula 1, but I want to help them progress in racing. There are so many series in motorsport where you can have fun and be successful, and as a professional racing driver, you can also make a living from it. Not just in Formula 1.”
Verstappen’s perspective on motorsport is holistic, recognizing the plethora of opportunities available in various racing series. He emphasizes the importance of talent and performance over social media popularity, a stance that is increasingly rare in the modern era of sports.
His leadership style, as he describes, would be uncompromising and focused entirely on performance and victory. Verstappen’s belief in merit and hard work is evident in his concluding statement:
“I just want to win because that stops all the talk around it, and that’s the most important thing for me.”
This approach could herald a new era in GT racing, influenced by the values and vision of one of Formula 1’s most talented drivers. Verstappen’s journey from a champion driver to a potential team principal will be a fascinating transition to watch in the coming years.
