Max Verstappen will be "getting ready to retire" from F1 if one change happens

Martin Brundle thinks he knows the sign to look out for when gauging if Max Verstappen is ready to retire from Formula 1.

The Dutchman has hinted on many occasions that he does not plan on racing in F1 for as long as some of his rivals have. He has even suggested his current Red Bull contract, which runs until 2028 when he will be 31, may be his last.

For now, though, he is focussed on adding as many accolades to his trophy cabinet as possible before that day comes. But he missed out on one prize in Melbourne last weekend thanks to a brake fire which ended his race after only a few laps.

After pulling into the pits, he got out of his smoking RB20 and was seen having a tense conversation with a colleague inside the Red Bull garage. Verstappen was seen mouthing the word "stupid" and appeared to swear before walking away.

Writing in his Sky Sports column, former F1 racer Brundle said he was not surprised to see the Dutchman show such emotion. And he believes the day Verstappen stops being angry about such setbacks will be the day he truly considers walking away from F1.

He wrote: "I feel guilty for thinking it, but it was a relief to see a different winning team and driver in Melbourne. Nothing against Red Bull or its drivers, they've been immense, but the chorus of 'F1 needed that' echoed through the paddock post-race.

"Max Verstappen delivered a 'Max-like' lap to secure pole position, but Red Bull had to add some front wing set-up for the race, one of the few permissible changes in parc fermé lock down, in order to protect the front tyres from sliding too much.

"It was all inconsequential because his rear-brake calliper stuck on the grid, akin to leaving the handbrake on, and would quickly and spectacularly overheat that corner meaning he would experience his first non-finish for 43 races. The big question is whether Ferrari would have beaten Red Bull anyway.

" McLaren kept Ferrari remarkably honest with their race pace suggesting Verstappen would have been right in there. We'll never know the answer to the question of course, but my gut feeling all the way through was that it was Ferrari's day.

"Despite his incredible run of successes Verstappen was initially very angry that his car had failed. When the adrenaline washes away he has become good at a managing these moods now, but if he ever loses that fiery passion in the heat of the moment you'll know he is getting ready to retire."