Max Verstappen told the late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz that his dream was to stay with their racing team forever before the Austrian entrepreneur died three-and-a-half years ago. Four-time drivers’ championship winner Verstappen has a contract until the end of next season, signed seven months before Mateschitz died in 2022, aged 78, of pancreatic cancer.

Verstappen, 28, committed his future to Red Bull last year after months of discussion about a move to Mercedes despite being dethroned as world champion after winning four consecutive titles. 2026 is his 13th season in Formula 1 and his 11th full year driving for Red Bull, after starting his F1 career with their junior team Toro Rosso.

Speaking about staying put, Verstappen told The Times: “It’s a funny one, because I don’t think normally the driver is, let’s say, the stable factor, in terms of people leaving, so I’m proud of that.

“I stayed loyal to the team for a long time; they know that loyalty, for me, is a very big thing, and that’s not always a given in Formula 1, but that’s how I operate.

“You always try to build the strongest team around you, but when you have a lot of success, it’s normal that people get poached and people leave, that’s how sport works.

“But, for me, you need to feel that you can be yourself in a team. That’s as important, I would say, in my career now after having won already so much, than just going somewhere for performance.”

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Verstappen continued: “It’s always been the intention. I remember when Dietrich [Mateschitz] was still alive . . . I told him my dream – and his dream – was that I would stay here forever, as long as my career lasts. I’m very happy that before he passed away, I said that my intention is still to fulfil that dream, and so far that is going quite well.”

It is not the first time Verstappen has spoken about retirement recently, saying on Up To Speed: “I’d say the new regulations aren’t helping to extend my Formula One career, but it doesn’t matter. I’m happy with my trajectory; I can easily leave it behind. I have other projects. I can easily leave it behind; I have other projects.

He added: “Who cares when you’re 60 or 70 if you won four or 10 titles? I’m getting older, and I prefer to spend time with my family before they’re gone. It’s something I’ve realised over time. I was recently skiing with some good friends and my family, and I realised how fantastic it was to be able to spend several days together, appreciating life.

“I want to live my life; you only live once, and I don’t want to spend 25 years driving a car. I want to appreciate what’s out there. Maybe I sound dramatic, but I don’t want to keep living just to race.”