Max Verstappen Rules Out Launching Own F1 Team

Max Verstappen has categorically ruled out ever launching his own Formula 1 team. The four-time world champion instead intends to develop Verstappen Racing, the operation he founded in 2022, with a clear focus on endurance racing and GT competition rather than single-seaters.

In an exclusive interview with Formule 1 Magazine, Verstappen outlined his long-term ambitions for Verstappen Racing. "In 10 to 20 years, there should be a professional racing team competing for victories in various racing classes," he said. "We're not going to compete just because it's fun to race. We want to be at the front, win races, and, at the very least, consistently compete at the front."

The Dutchman made it clear that any expansion would be directed towards endurance racing, not F1. "It's definitely the goal to expand the racing team further. Specifically toward endurance racing, not toward Formula 1 or anything like that," he insisted. He also shut down the idea of Verstappen Racing entering F1 one day. "No, because that's way too demanding. Then I'd still be on the road for 24 races a year or very busy with my own racing team," he explained.

Read AlsoGerman GP Return: A Drawn-Out Death in the Making?

Verstappen acknowledged that the pace of development for his team will be influenced by his own F1 future. "The pace of further development also depends a little bit on my own choices for the coming years and what I do in Formula 1," he said. Currently, Verstappen Racing's endurance program is growing, including a maiden GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup victory at Magny-Cours earlier this month and Verstappen's own Nurburgring 24 Hours debut in May.

Beyond team matters, Verstappen opened up about his personal life. His daughter, Lily, born in May last year, is his top priority. "Our daughter Lily is my greatest prize. Family is the most important thing to me, no matter what," he stated. He admitted struggling to leave his family when travelling to races. "This morning, for example, when I flew here, the little one was standing by the elevator at home when I stepped in to go down. And then the doors close. Yes, that's not a great feeling," he recalled.

Verstappen also hopes his career will inspire young people to believe there are pathways into motorsport regardless of their background. He is considering establishing a museum with memorabilia from his career, including his F1 cars, following the examples of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. However, he has yet to decide on a location.

Ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, which will be the last F1 race at Zandvoort under the current agreement, Verstappen remained humble about his impact. "I don't want to say it's all because of me. I've done my part," he said. He backed the decision not to extend the event, citing financial risks and the importance of choosing the right moment. "We've had some really great years; it's fine the way it is," he concluded.

Verstappen arrives at his home race still searching for his first grand prix victory of 2026. However, his form has improved with successive podiums in Belgium and Hungary, and he has finished in the top four in four of the last five races. He currently sits sixth in the championship on 109 points, 110 behind leader Kimi Antonelli.