Verstappen Locks in Red Bull Future Through 2030
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The four-time champion commits to a record-breaking tenure after weighing retirement and potential team exits.
Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with Red Bull that keeps him with the team through 2030, as Sportsnet first reported. The deal ends widespread speculation regarding whether the 28-year-old would exit the sport or move to a rival outfit.
Verstappen admitted to Sportsnet that he seriously considered leaving Formula 1, noting that he told Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies early in the season not to ask about his future because he was unsure if he wanted to stay. While reports had linked him to McLaren following a June meeting between his representatives and McLaren management, Verstappen stated he was closer to retiring than switching teams.
The extension comes amid a challenging season where Red Bull has struggled to match the pace of Mercedes, and Verstappen has yet to secure a victory. The driver also expressed frustration with the electrical power reliance of 2026 cars and raised safety concerns following two high-speed crashes caused by rear wing faults. However, discussions with the FIA and F1 convinced him the sport is improving, and the new deal may overlap with a potential return to V8 engines.
If he completes the contract, Verstappen will mark 15 seasons with Red Bull, the longest driver-team pairing in F1 history. Mekies described Verstappen as the "central point of the team" and the primary reference for strategic decisions.
The move provides stability for Red Bull following the departures of car designer Adrian Newey and former boss Christian Horner. Meanwhile, other potential market movers have settled; Carlos Sainz Jr. signed with Williams on Wednesday, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown previously confirmed the team would stick with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.