During the current Formula 1 break following the Singapore GP, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen revealed that he will be testing in a racing series away from the premier class of motorsport. The move syncs with his recent threat of retirement from F1 following a controversy with the FIA, which levied a one-day community service penalty on him for using a swear word.
Verstappen's remarks during the FIA’s Thursday press conference at the Marina Bay race weekend saw him attract the penalty for violating the International Sporting Code. The swearing was not addressed toward any particular individual or team but to his RB20 F1 car.
Citing the punishment as unfair, Verstappen gave brief answers to the media during the post-qualifying session, followed by an impromptu media gathering outside. He later suggested that the controversy, sparked by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's attempts to limit swearing in Formula 1, could accelerate his retirement if restrictions on his self-expression continued. After the Singapore GP, the Dutchman told the media:
"For sure. Yeah. I mean, these kinds of things definitely decide my future as well.
"When you can't be yourself, you have to deal with these kinds of silly things... I think now, I'm at a stage of my career that I don't want to be dealing with this all the time. It's really tiring.
"Of course it's great to have success and win races, but once you have accomplished all that, winning championships and races, then you want to just have a good time as well.
"Everyone is pushing to the limit. Everyone in this battle, even at the back of the grid. But if you have to deal with all these kind of silly things: for me, that is not a way of continuing in the sport, that's for sure."
The three-time world champion recently revealed that he was testing GT3 cars in the first week of the one-month break after the Singapore Grand Prix, which leads up to the United States Grand Prix on October 18. Speaking to Viaplay, as quoted by GPFans.net, he said:
"The first week I still have a few little things I have to do, but after that the fun stuff will come."
Confirming the test wasn't related to Formula 1, he added:
"Not being involved with Formula 1.
"Look, of course I do a bit of that in the background with my engineers, but I'm not very involved with the Formula 1 car myself. I'm still going to test with GT3 cars to plan for next year, though, so that's going to be a lot of fun after my birthday. That still motivates me."
During the 2023 season, Verstappen shared his goal of launching his own GT3 racing team by 2025, with the intent of backing promising drivers he has close ties with. Despite his Red Bull contract running through 2028, Verstappen has expressed doubts about staying in Formula 1 that long. Reflecting on this last year, he stated:
“If I had to speculate and guess, I think he will run till the end of this formula, to the end of 2025. I don’t think the 8th World title will be a thing. Winning the title was all targeted. I don’t believe he will go till the end of his contract. It’s too long."
