OPINION – DANIEL MOXON: Our F1 correspondent on the biggest story in the sport right now.

Max Verstappen is free to leave F1 whenever he likes, our F1 correspondent says (Image: Getty)

Max Verstappen and Formula 1, Formula 1 and Max Verstappen. Two names that are forever intertwined thanks to the dominance the Dutchman has enjoyed at times during his career in the sport, especially between 2021 and 2024 during which period he won four titles in a row. He is undoubtedly one of the very best F1 has ever seen. Yet, if he were to leave while still in his 20s, he would not be missed.

I say that not because he is one of the sport’s most polarising characters ever, adored by his fans and despised by his detractors. While that is certainly true, the only people who cannot see that he is enormously talented are so blinded by hatred or loyalty to another driver that their opinion isn’t worth anything anyway.

I say it because there are probably only two drivers in history, or certainly in the modern era, who have been bigger than the sport in terms of global recognition. Michael Schumacher was the first, and Lewis Hamilton is the other.

Verstappen, while undoubtedly an extremely high-profile sportsperson, hasn’t crossed that same threshold into celebrity stardom. And he will be absolutely fine with that: He’s said it himself on many occasions, he is in F1 because he loves to race, not because he craves the spotlight.

It is for that same reason that he is now considering leaving, aged 28. He achieved everything that he wanted to with his first World Championship win and the three more that have followed since were a happy bonus. And now? He’s deeply unhappy, complaining about the new generation of cars and engines at every opportunity.

It’s no longer fun for him. And as he’s already one of the most decorated drivers in history, with an extremely lucrative contract which has made him an extremely wealthy man, that’s really the only factor left. Verstappen is set for life and now wants to spend it doing what he loves. And right now racing F1 cars is not on that list.

If the sport no longer gives him that fulfilment, so be it. Many will be devastated to see him go, not least everyone affiliated with Red Bull, while there will also be a significant number of people – especially those among Hamilton’s global army of dedicated fans who still haven’t forgiven Verstappen for 2021 – who will celebrate his departure.

But the truth is F1 will go on and the world will keep turning. TV figures would surely not be significantly affected by Verstappen’s absence on a global scale, though the Dutch broadcasters would certainly see a large drop-off. Because F1 history tells us that the next superstar is always ready and waiting to step up when the previous big name finally quits the circus.

After Alain Prost retired and Ayrton Senna was sadly killed far too young in 1994, Schumacher emerged as the next dominant force. When he retired (for the first time) there was only a short wait until Hamilton came onto the scene with a bang. Then it was Sebastian Vettel’s turn before Hamilton and Mercedes wrestled control back.

Their dominance lasted years. But it came to an end when Verstappen and Red Bull emerged as a truly powerful force and then it was their turn to create a dynasty. And when he steps away, whether it is this year or not, the next superstar will be ready.

Mercedes look well-placed. George Russell remains the favourite and certainly has the speed and the consistency to deliver the sustained level of performance needed to produce an era of dominance. And then there’s his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli, for whom the Silver Arrows believe the sky is the limit.

Maybe Lando Norris will get to build on his first title last year. Or perhaps Oscar Piastri will go on to outshine his McLaren team-mate and become the next multiple world champion. We don’t yet know who will take over the mantle, but someone will. There’s no doubt about that.

It would be sad to see Max Verstappen leave at the end of this year, if that is what he does eventually choose to do. While clearly not everyone’s favourite, he’s a straight-talking demon of a driver. And despite his sometimes tempestuous nature, my personal experience is that I’ve always found him to be pleasant company.

But life will go on. Verstappen has made it clear he doesn’t need F1, and the same is true the other way around.