Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation over his Formula 1 future by signing a new contract with Red Bull that will keep him at the team until the end of the 2030 season.
The four-time world champion had previously been tied to Red Bull until 2028, but clauses in his existing agreement could have allowed him to leave after the current season. Mercedes and McLaren had both been linked with a possible move for the Dutch driver.
Verstappen’s new deal means he is set to spend virtually his entire F1 career with the Red Bull organisation.
“I have always said it: the team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home,” Verstappen said.
He added that returning Red Bull to the front of the grid remained the team’s “ultimate goal”.
Red Bull Facing a Difficult Period
The decision comes at a challenging time for Red Bull. The team has struggled to match its rivals since Formula 1 introduced a new set of technical regulations for cars and engines this season. Verstappen has managed two second-place finishes, in Austria and Hungary, but has yet to win a race under the new regulations.
That decline in competitiveness had fuelled questions over whether Verstappen would eventually seek a move elsewhere. Those doubts intensified after he narrowly missed out on last year’s championship to McLaren’s Lando Norris. Verstappen had recovered from a deficit of more than 100 points during a remarkable second-half comeback, ultimately finishing just two points behind Norris.
Despite his frustrations with Red Bull’s performance, Verstappen has opted to remain with the team.
Verstappen Backs New Red Bull Leadership
Verstappen’s decision also comes despite the impending departure of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who is expected to join McLaren by 2028. The driver nevertheless expressed confidence in Red Bull’s current direction under team principal Laurent Mekies.
Mekies took over in July last year after Christian Horner was dismissed following a turbulent period for the team. Verstappen said he had enjoyed working with Mekies. Also stating that he believed the team principal had established a clear vision for Red Bull’s future.
“Everyone in Milton Keynes believes in what we are building,” Verstappen said, referring to the team’s headquarters in England. He said he was looking forward to continuing the fight for race victories and championships with the team.
Exit Clauses Remain Possible
Although the new agreement runs through 2030, Verstappen’s future is not necessarily guaranteed for the entire period. The contract is understood to contain mechanisms that could allow him to leave if Red Bull fails to meet certain performance expectations.
Such clauses are common in F1 driver contracts. Although neither Verstappen nor Red Bull has disclosed the specific conditions attached to his new deal. Mekies described the renewal as a major boost for the team.
“Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news,” he said.
He credited Verstappen with playing a central role in Red Bull’s transformation into a championship-winning team. Also saying their relationship was built on years of success, difficult battles and mutual trust.
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