IF I STOP BELIEVING I’M THE BEST, I’LL QUIT! 😳 Max Verstappen Has Delivered A Brutally Honest Message About His F1 Future — And The Four-Time World Champion Has Revealed The One Condition That Would Make Him Walk Away. Asked whether he still considers himself the best driver on the grid, the Red Bull star didn’t hesitate: “I always think so. Otherwise, I’d quit!” Verstappen’s confidence remains absolute, even after a turbulent season and losing the championship to Kimi Antonelli. He has made it clear that believing he can be the best is central to his mindset — and without that conviction, there would be no reason to continue racing in F1. NO DOUBT ABOUT HIS AMBITION, NO ROOM FOR SELF-DOUBT. Verstappen has drawn a clear line in the sand — and his latest words reveal exactly what it would take for him to leave F1 behind.

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Max Verstappen has seemingly offered a clear verdict on when he’d decide to leave F1

Max Verstappen speaking at Red Bull

Max Verstappen has said he’ll depart F1 if he feels he can no longer compete at the top. Verstappen finished second at the Brazilian GP for his 12th podium finish of the campaign, having started the race from 21st on the grid. It followed his triumph at the Mexican GP when he took advantage of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s rivalry to finish ahead of the two Ferrari drivers and world champion Kimi Antonelli. Earlier this campaign, Verstappen had hinted he may leave F1 after growing tired of the new regulations turning the sport, in his opinion, into a real-life version of Mario Kart.

Having struggled in the early stages, Verstappen has since dragged himself up to second with three triumphs in the last five races. He may have had to congratulate Antonelli for winning his first world title, but the Red Bull ace believes he has what it takes to add to his collection of four world drivers championships.

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When asked if he still believes he is F1’s best driver, he instantly replied: “I always think so. Otherwise, I’d quit.”

He added: “You do have that feeling. But of course, in 2015, I also knew that I still had a lot to learn. But I certainly had it in my head that I had the potential to be the best.”

Verstappen’s tone is significantly more positive now his team are back challenging for GP victories. It was too little too late in regards to catching up with Antonelli, but positive seeds have been planted.

“I think I’ve had a good season. But of course, in Formula 1, you also depend on your car,” he added. “Lately, we’ve had things reasonably well sorted again. And then the victories come.”

Max Verstappen Brazilian GP

After his heroics in South America, team principal Laurent Mekies also heaped praise on Verstappen. He said: “As always, I think no sim in the world will predict that you will go from P21 to P2 or that you get 14 places in five laps.

“There is no sim able to do that. So, he’s beating the sim on a regular basis. Of course, it’s frustrating [to start 21st] because the pace seemed good on Friday and also on Saturday morning, and in some respects in Q1 when we let him qualify. But it’s part of the game, you know?”

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As well as F1, he has also been competing in GT3 Endurance racing. In September, he won on his debut at Nordschleife where he raced in a Ferrari 296 GT3 car with British racer Chris Lulham.