Red Bull's Max Verstappen: Drivers need a say in F1 racing

Max Verstappen has not yet made peace with Formula One's governing body after being sanctioned for swearing in at a press conference, but he is clear about what he would want in an ideal world.

“The drivers need to get more power,” Red Bull’s three-time world champion said in an interview with Reuters ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

“I know it's a difficult question, but I think it's very important for the future, for the young drivers, not so much for us.”

“I mean, I'm happy with what I'm doing, even though a lot of things change. If I'm not satisfied, I'll stop. It’s done,” the 27-year-old added.

“But the young people who are now working towards their goal of getting into Formula 1 are our top priority – making sure things don’t just get worse for them.”

When asked what he meant by more power, Verstappen replied: “Voting rights. At least that we can actually take part in the discussion.”

“I mean, that would be ideal. I know it’s very unlikely, but if you leave it up to the teams it will be a disaster anyway because they only speak for themselves.”

The proposal is unlikely to find favor with those in power or those who pay the wages, but Verstappen has never been one to hold back on or off the track.

Verstappen is on course for a fourth straight title and is 57 points ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris with five races to go. He says he doesn't care much about the big numbers.

Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028 and said he just wanted to have fun. Last month he warned that the FIA's stance on swearing could hasten his demise and he insisted he still feels that way.

He said he had no desire to equal Fernando Alonso's 400 races, a milestone the Spaniard achieved in Mexico, or to continue racing into his 40s like old title rival and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

“Now that I have won championships and races, my goals in Formula 1 have been achieved, so the pressure is a little less,” he said.

“For me it's not about winning eight titles or breaking the winning record. I know I can do it, but in a way you have to be lucky to be on the right team for a long time.”

“Yes, I can keep going until I’m 40, but I don’t want to.”

“I don't want to look back when I'm 80, and hopefully I'll make it to 80, and look at myself and say, 'Jesus! I raced for 40 years and basically wasted 15.” “The best years of my life (if I could be) and a great time with family and friends.”

“Okay, maybe you’ll win a few more championships and races, but that’s not what my life is about.”

“When I'm 80 years old, I want to look back and say, 'Yeah, I had a good time racing, I did everything I had to do and I loved my life and I lived my life.' That’s what I want to do.”

Verstappen has won seven races so far this season but is currently on a nine-race losing streak, although his lead remains relatively comfortable.

He has led the championship since May 2022, a streak he will continue into 2025, and won 19 of 22 races last year in the most dominant season ever.

“I think the special thing will always be 2023,” he said, comparing his titles.

“But I also know that it can’t be like this every year. I said to myself, 'Don't expect another season like this or you'll be very frustrated.' And I accepted that.”