Max Verstappen, known for his no-nonsense attitude on and off the track, has hit back at the swirling media speculation about his future in Formula 1. The reigning world champion made it clear that he isn’t bothered by the wild theories and rumors about his commitment to the sport, calling the stories “bizarre” and a waste of his time.
The Dutch driver, famous for his fierce demeanor and blunt honesty, didn’t mince words when addressing the media frenzy surrounding him. Verstappen, who debuted in F1 back in 2015 with Toro Rosso and has since become a dominant force in the sport, expressed bewilderment at how people come up with such stories. He brushed off the speculation with his characteristic coldness, saying, “It is what it is.”
“People always come up with different stuff, I find it really bizarre how they come up with some of these things, but it is what it is,” Verstappen stated. “It’s part of the game, but I usually just let it go.”
Having been a fixture in F1 for nearly a decade, Verstappen made it clear that he’s far too seasoned to care about baseless rumors. The 27-year-old emphasized that he doesn’t waste his energy on stories like these and even avoids reading about F1 during his downtime, focusing instead on what he considers more important.
“I’ve been in F1 for 10 years now and I’m not wasting time on all those stories. I barely read anything about F1 anyway,” Verstappen added, showcasing his disinterest in the media buzz.
Despite Red Bull’s struggles in the 2024 season, which have left Verstappen unable to secure the race wins he’s accustomed to, speculation about his future with the team continues to grow. But Verstappen remains unfazed, stating that everyone is entitled to their opinions, and he has no interest in letting other people’s comments affect him.
“Sometimes I see something, or someone tells me, ‘Did you see what this and that person said?’ But I always say people can think what they want. I’m not going to waste my energy on that,” Verstappen said. “I don’t really care about what other people say.”
As Verstappen gears up for the remaining six races of the season, the Dutchman is facing pressure to defend his position against in-form rivals. With Red Bull’s performance dipping, Verstappen will have to dig deep to fend off the competition, setting the stage for an intriguing end to the 2024 season.
While the rumors about his future may continue, Max Verstappen’s focus remains on the track—where his actions speak louder than words.