Max Verstappen has once again refused to rule out retiring from F1 in 2028 as Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix looms.
But the 26-year-old insists he's happy at Red Bull after finishing fastest in practice on Friday morning.
Verstappen is the man to beat in the sport these days, having won the last three Formula One titles.
He has won two of the first three races of the season, in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia respectively, to showcase his credentials for the current campaign.
Max Verstappen has refused to rule out retiring from F1 in 2028 ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix
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However, amid the ongoing Christian Horner saga, Verstappen has been linked with a move away from the team.
Speaking after P1 on Friday, the 26-year-old insisted he was happy at Red Bull despite all the speculation surrounding his future.
Yet he's refused to rule out quitting the sport when his deal with the F1 side expires in 2028.
"I'm very happy where I'm at, and we want to keep it that way," he said.
"I have a contract with Red Bull until 2028.
"After that, I first want to see if I even want to continue.
"That’s for me the most important (thing) - it's not so much about where. These kind of things, I don't really think about at the moment."
Verstappen thinks Red Bull's rivals are starting to catch up, however.
"It seems like everyone is a little closer together compared to last year," he added.
"I think in general over one lap, it seems like people have got closer, but for the long run pace, I have no idea, but I don't expect gaps like there were last year here.
"We couldn't do anything in the second free practice session, but there are still a few things we have to look at and try out.
"But in general, I am quite satisfied with the first session."
While Verstappen claims to be happy, reports have suggested his relationship with Horner is 'not warm'.
The 50-year-old was cleared of misconduct and has since proceeded to work with the F1 side as normal.
However, while Red Bull figures have agreed to a public ceasefire, there's still plenty of uncertainty surrounding the team.
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Christian Horner and Max Verstappen's relationship is 'not warm' behind the scenes
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A friend close to Horner's accuser, speaking earlier this week, said the Red Bull employee who alleged inappropriate behaviour was 'upset' and 'lonely' amid the ongoing saga.
She wants the decision to clear the 50-year-old overturned amid her suspension from the side.
"It's impossible for people to understand what it's like for her," the friend told the BBC.
"She can't talk and she won't talk.
"But I can tell you what it is doing to her.
Max Verstappen finished fastest in P1 ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix
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"Every time I have asked her something, she breaks down in tears and says she's got no-one to talk to because she's not allowed to talk.
"She is very upset, very angry, very scared, very intimidated, very lonely.
"And I think it's impossible for people to understand without being in her shoes what it's like for her."
