Stefano Domenicali, the big boss of Formula 1, knows that Max Verstappen has a desire to try another racing class at some point. But the Italian hopes this moment will not arrive for many years yet.
Max Verstappen has never made a secret of it. The Red Bull Racing driver does not want to race in Formula 1 until late in life. It was even thought that the Dutchman could announce his F1 retirement after 2028 - when his contract with the Austrian racing team expires. That is no longer so certain, but there will naturally come a moment when Verstappen has had enough.
If Stefano Domenicali has a say, it will take a while longer. The Italian spoke in Zandvoort with De Telegraaf and indicated he finds Verstappen to be 'the best' and 'incredible'.
"Max has shown that he is very loyal to Red Bull, but it is also logical that he will start looking around at a certain point. He is now a father and can see things in perspective," Domenicali told the newspaper.
When that moment is, is unclear. The CEO also knows that Verstappen wants to try other racijng series aside from Formula 1 at some point. "That's fine. If he's happy, I'm happy."
But the Italian would prefer that moment to be put on hold a while longer. "I don't want to lose him here. But I also don't expect that to happen soon. That's up to him, but I hope at least not. Formula 1 remains Formula 1. As far as I'm concerned, he continues here for another ten years, gladly!"