Max Verstappen has dropped a stunning hint that he could quit Formula One as soon as next year if the sport loses its appeal for him.
Speaking in the Yas Marina paddock ahead of Sunday's championship finale, the 28-year-old Dutchman said: "For now I go on. But let's see how things go for next year. If it's fun, I'll go on but let's think about it."
The four-time world champion added that his future remains uncertain despite his continued success.
"I'll review it throughout the year. It looks good but it's impossible to say," Verstappen told the Daily Mail.
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Verstappen finds himself trailing Lando Norris by 12 points heading into the Abu Dhabi showdown, with the British driver needing only a third-place finish to clinch his maiden world title.
The championship battle has become a three-way contest, with Oscar Piastri also mathematically in contention despite sitting 16 points behind his McLaren teammate.
Norris acknowledged the pressure of his position during Thursday's press conference at Yas Marina Circuit, appearing slightly nervous as he addressed the media alongside his two rivals.
The Briton admitted: "I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top."
Max Verstappen has dropped a stunning hint that he could quit Formula One as soon as next year if the sport loses its appeal for him
|GETTY
Despite holding the advantage, Norris has firmly ruled out requesting any assistance from his teammate to secure the championship.
Norris said: "But I don't want Oscar to move over. It has not been discussed and shouldn't be."
The 24-year-old made clear he would accept help if Piastri offered it voluntarily, but refused to make any demands.
He said: "If Oscar wants to do that, I would not mind. But I shall not ask for it. It is not something for me to demand or that I would want."
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Lando Norris has firmly ruled out asking his teammate for any assistance to secure the championship
|GETTY
Norris went further, suggesting that if Verstappen ultimately prevailed under such circumstances, the Dutchman would deserve the crown.
Piastri confirmed that team orders had not been raised internally at McLaren.
McLaren have already wrapped up the constructors' championship for a second consecutive season, but team principal Andrea Stella has made clear the outfit is targeting both titles for the first time since 1998.
Following strategic errors at last weekend's Qatar Grand Prix that compromised both drivers' results, Stella acknowledged discussions would take place before Sunday's 57-lap race at Yas Marina.
McLaren have already wrapped up the constructors' championship for a second consecutive season
| REUTERSHowever, he insisted McLaren's approach would remain consistent.
Stella said: "What's important is that we are in a position to beat Verstappen with one of our two drivers."
Mercedes driver George Russell suggested Piastri might consider switching off his radio to avoid any uncomfortable instructions during the finale.
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