Max Verstappen will quit F1 THIS YEAR, claims former Red Bull mechanic with Dutch driver chasing record held by Michael Schumacher
Verstappen is looking to match Michael Schumacher 's record of a fifth title in a row, though he faces an uphill task trying to make up the ground to McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Despite holding on to beat Norris to the crown last year, Piastri has been the quickest on the grid for much of the 2025 season, and leads the standings by 10 points from his team-mate, and is 49 clear of Verstappen
Verstappen is on a £60m annual retainer at Red Bull until 2028, though there are opt-out clauses, and has told the team he wants to stay at least for next year. However incoming regulation changes mean he may wait to see how Red Bull adapts before making a decision on his future.
Mail Sport has previously reported he could potentially move in 2027, with Mercedes and Aston Martin possible refuges, but sources close to Verstappen indicate that if the 27-year-old were to jump ship he would only do so once in his career.
However, he has now been backed to fight back and snatch the championship this year by a former member of the Red Bull pit crew - before quitting the sport entirely.
Former Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas was asked on Lucas Stewart's YouTube channel how many titles Verstappen would win, when he responded: 'Five. I think Max is going to win the Drivers' this year, and then I think he's going to call it a day.'
Nicolas insisted, however, that he did not have any information about the Dutch driver's plans for the rest of his career.
Verstappen lost even more ground in his latest outing, after dropping from P5 to P10 following a penalty for ramming his car into Mercedes' George Russell's car at the Spanish Grand Prix, and now trails Piastri by 49 points.
But Nicholas remained adamant that the Red Bull star should always remain the favourite despite what the standings say.
'To not back Max is just like lunacy, I think. The guy is just really really good.
'Not in terms of just his technical skill and his talent, but I've watched Max grow into this guy that can do everything.
'He does everything well now.'
Verstappen became a father for the first time earlier this season, as he and girlfriend Kelly Piquet welcomed Lily into the world in May.
The F1 star announced the birth alongside an Instagram post, writing: 'Welcome to the world, sweet Lily. Our hearts are fuller than ever - you are our greatest gift. We love you so much.'
While Lily is Max's first child, model Piquet, 36, already has a daughter, Penelope, born in 2019, from her previous relationship with Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat, 30.
Verstappen will join Nico Hulkenberg as the only drivers with children on the F1 grid.
Asked if he had any advice for Verstappen as a new parent, the Kick Sauber driver responded: 'I hope it's a good sleeper.'
Meanwhile, his rivals banished any suggestions that he will be any less competitive following his daughter's birth.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton said: 'I just wish him all the best. It's such an amazing, special thing. I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was. Big congrats to him.'
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