Formula 1 fans are convinced that Max Verstappen will be retiring soon after hearing what he did before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It has been another glorious season for the Red Bull superstar after he won his fourth F1 world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last month.
Over the weekend, the 27-year-old clinched victory at the Qatar Grand Prix after finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri.
After the race, as reported by De Telegraaf, via MSN, Verstappen had organised a party for the Red Bull staff as a thank you for the past season.
It has been reported that the party took place at the St. Regis hotel in Doha.
Ahead of this weekend’s season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fans have been left concerned after finding out what Verstappen has in store for his future.
He said to The Times: “I would like to do other stuff in life, you only live once. i want to spend time with my family, friends, travel the world, see different places — not always do the same thing. when you’re doing stuff, like very repetitive, it can get a bit boring at one point. but at the moment, it’s still not. I’m enjoying it, and I love what I’m doing.
“I want to do endurance as well, all the big 24-hour races. it’s much more racing, and less hectic.”
Max Verstappen is now a four-time Formula 1 world champion. Image: Getty
Reacting on social media, fans are worried that Verstappen could do what Nico Rosberg did in 2016.
The German beat Lewis Hamilton to the F1 title but then shocked the world by announcing his retirement during the off-season.
One fan said on X: “0 days since my favourite driver has last mentioned retirement.”
Another tweeted: “Oh yeah more retirement talk.”
A third fan added: “Please say this is just a nice gesture and not a Rosberg moment.”
Someone else wrote: “God. Is retirement incoming?”
A fifth commented: “Can he please just get it over with and announce the retirement, I can’t do this no more.”
Another fan said: “The inevitable is happening.”
The 2024 constructor’s championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi. Currently, McLaren lead Ferrari by 21 points at the top of the standings.