Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, revealed he had seriously considered retiring from the sport before signing a new contract with his team, Red Bull, extending his deal until 2030. Despite engaging in discussions with rival teams, including McLaren, Verstappen said he was more inclined to quit Formula 1 than to move to another team. Speaking to the German publication Bild, he explained that every conversation with a different team must be taken seriously, but in the end, he felt closer to walking away from the sport than making a switch. "You either quit or you don't, so it's a 50/50 decision," he said. However, he ultimately chose to continue racing because of his deep love for the sport. Verstappen, 28, has won four consecutive F1 titles from 2021 to 2024, but has not secured a win this season. After finishing second at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, he currently holds sixth place in the drivers’ championship, 147 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. He emphasized that his decision to renew his contract with Red Bull was not influenced by external pressure or criticism. "If both parties want to work together long-term, why wait?" he said. He added that he is not concerned about public opinion, and the only thing that matters is his personal satisfaction, along with that of his family, management, and the team. Verstappen also stated he has no more personal goals to achieve in Formula 1. "I'm a four-time world champion, and after my first title, I'd already achieved everything I ever wanted," he said. He clarified that he races not for fame or history, but for himself, his team, and the fans. This clarity helped him make the decision to continue with Red Bull quickly. Unlike Fernando Alonso, the 45-year-old driver for Aston Martin, Verstappen does not expect to compete into his 40s, though he admitted it's hard to predict the future. "I'll keep racing as long as I enjoy it," he said. The Formula 1 season will resume in two weeks with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, there are still uncertainties about whether the season will conclude with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to concerns over the ongoing Middle East conflict. A final decision on those events is expected soon.