Verstappen will continue to be a discreet F1 driver.

      "Previously, he would really go wild."

      Max Verstappen acknowledges that both reporters and Formula 1 fans will need to acclimate to hearing from him less frequently. Following his contentious 2024 penalty for using profanity during a press conference, and in light of the FIA's broader initiative to curb poor driver conduct, the four-time world champion has already begun engaging with the media more concisely.

      This trend intensified at Jeddah, where he flatly declined to share his opinions on the 5-second penalty he received for the first-corner incident, only stating "That’s bloody lovely" over the radio. "I know I cannot swear in here," he remarked at the post-race FIA press conference, "but at the same time, you also can’t be critical in any form that might ‘harm’ or ‘danger’. Let me get the sheet out - there are many lines."

      Besides the penalty from the Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen admits he no longer feels inclined to speak to the media as much. "I’ve been in the sport for a long time, and eventually, you know everyone," he told Viaplay. "The less you say, the better it is. I just don’t feel like talking to people that much."

      Viaplay reporter Chiel van Koldenhoven shared his concerns that the 27-year-old might be growing weary of Formula 1 altogether. "You shouldn’t be so worried about that, to be honest," Verstappen replied.

      "You know, I’m in a phase where I’m not really interested in what others write or think. I do my thing and live my life. I come to the circuit knowing that I do my best when I get in the car. I work with people at the factory, and then I go home. That’s when I live my life outside of Formula 1.

      "Of course, I want to be fast and do my best, but even if things don’t go well, that’s just how it is," the 27-year-old expressed. "I still enjoy racing, but it’s not like I will take it home with me if things go wrong here."

      Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who is familiar with the Verstappen family, believes Verstappen's response to the Jeddah penalty indicates maturity. "In the past, he would go absolutely wild and share his opinion immediately," he noted. "Now, he simply said ‘lovely’ and focused on the race again."

      It’s also clear that Verstappen's interests have expanded beyond Formula 1; he now has both the Redline sim racing team and his own GT team, Verstappen.com Racing. This team recently made its debut at Paul Ricard in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. When asked if he envisions the team competing in major events like the Nurburgring 24 hours, Verstappen replied, "Absolutely, but step by step. I don’t want to rush it."

      "Those are serious circuits, and you need serious preparation for that," he added. "These shorter races—three, four, six hours—are meant to help us gain more experience with the car. Step by step, we want to participate in all those races."

      He acknowledged that the Le Mans 24 hours is among his team's aspirations. "That would be ideal," Verstappen said, but he believes that his current Formula 1 commitments will prevent him from personally taking on Le Mans for now.

      "If it doesn’t conflict with a Formula 1 race, then it could be done, but on the other hand, I won’t do it for another ten years," he stated. "By then, I’ll have more time for other pursuits."

      Verstappen insisted that skipping a grand prix to participate in Le Mans is definitely not an option. "With what I’m doing here now and the way I’m doing it, I cannot do that," he emphasized. "Absolutely not."