Max Verstappen has made his final choice about his F1 career and signed a new contract.
Max Verstappen has cleared up all rumors about his future by signing a new contract with Red Bull.
There was a lot of talk about him leaving the team, with rumors linking him to big moves to McLaren or Mercedes. Some even thought he might quit Formula 1 because he was frustrated with the new rules and power units.
But on Wednesday morning, it was officially announced that the four-time world champion has extended his deal. His old contract was set to end in 2028 but included an option to leave after the 2026 season. Now, Verstappen will stay with Red Bull until 2030. This news came just before his last home race at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
On X, Red Bull Racing said, “Four more years of full send. We’re thrilled that Max has signed on until the end of 2030.”
Verstappen has been part of Red Bull since 2016, winning 71 races, earning 48 pole positions, setting 37 fastest laps, and reaching the podium 131 times in F1. He’s excited to keep working with the team and chase even more success.
“We have the best people and I’m really happy to keep working with everyone to get back to the top,” said the 28-year-old.
“This has always been the goal we’ve worked towards, and it will continue to be. The team feels like a second family to me, and I feel right at home. I joined hoping to win races, and what we’ve achieved together has been amazing — four World Championships and many great moments.
“To keep this journey going with the same team I’ve been with my whole career means a lot to me.”
The Dutch Grand Prix came back to F1 in 2021 after 36 years, but because of money problems, the organizers decided not to continue hosting it, so Verstappen won’t have a home race in the future. He has already won there three times and hopes to win one last time in front of his home fans.
For the special race, Verstappen will wear a unique helmet and race suit. His teammate, Isack Hadjar, was also planning a special design but has been ruled out due to a wrist injury he got during the summer break while boxing.
Red Bull quickly found a replacement for Hadjar by promoting Liam Lawson from their second team, Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda, now a reserve driver at Red Bull, will race for Racing Bulls on short notice.