Button makes Verstappen prediction after F1 retirement

Jenson Button believes new four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen will continue to win in motorsport – after he quits grand prix racing.

Verstappen’s long-term future within F1 has been up for debate, with there being no guarantee he will continue beyond the current Red Bull deal set for expiry in 2028. 

Button, who has raced in sportscars, NASCAR, and Super GT since retiring from F1, believes that Verstappen will continue to race once he quits F1. 

“There are two different types of F1 driver,” Button told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

“There are the F1 drivers that are F1 drivers and that is all that matters to them, and when they step away, they won’t race anymore, they’ll go and sit on a beach somewhere or find another job that interests them.

“But for Max and others like myself, we love motor racing, it is not just Formula 1, so Max won’t step away from Formula 1 and step away from winning.

“He’ll step away from Formula 1 and go and race [elsewhere]. He’s talked about doing endurance racing, maybe Le Mans or Daytona, or maybe it will just be sim racing, who knows, but he will still be there fighting for wins.

“That is not going to change. It is just the environment will change. Formula 1 is the pinnacle, it really is, but there is a lot more pressure on your shoulders than in other categories and a lot more eyes on you.

“So maybe this will be his last contract in F1, he’ll see out his contract with Red Bull and then he’ll move away, who knows? But he will be racing for a very long time, but maybe in a different capacity.”