Max Verstappen surprises everyone with big retirement comment just hours after renewing his Red Bull contract.
Max Verstappen recently shared just how close he was to retiring before signing a new deal with Red Bull.
In the first half of the season, many people doubted whether he would continue racing because he was frustrated with the new engines and rules. After crashing out at the Japanese Grand Prix in March, Verstappen even thought about stepping away from the sport. He asked himself, “Is it worth it? Or would I rather spend more time at home with my family and friends if I’m not enjoying racing?”
On top of that, Verstappen was annoyed by Red Bull’s rear wing issues, which caused crashes in qualifying at both the Austrian and British Grands Prix. These problems made fans wonder if he might leave Red Bull for teams like McLaren or Mercedes.
But those rumors ended on Thursday when Verstappen signed a new contract. His old contract ran until 2028 but included a clause letting him leave this year. Now, he’s agreed to stay with Red Bull until 2030. This news came just days before his last Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
Red Bull shared the exciting update, saying: “Four more years of full send! We’re happy to announce that Max has extended his contract until the end of 2030.”
Verstappen, who is 28, is one of the best drivers in Formula 1. He already has four world championships, 71 wins, 37 fastest laps, and 131 podiums. After admitting he was “closer to retiring than switching teams,” he’s now ready to keep making history with Red Bull.
He told reporters with a laugh, “I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams, but all good.”
Right now, Verstappen is sixth in the championship, needing a big comeback to catch leader Kimi Antonelli, who’s 110 points ahead. It looks like 2026 might not be his year, but Verstappen is focusing on helping his team get back on top.
He said, “You need to feel good where you are. It doesn’t matter if you have the fastest car this year but don’t feel right. I feel great with this team and believe we can reach the top again. I still want to win races. I’m hungry for more.”
He also appreciates how Red Bull supports his interests beyond racing. “They let me do things outside Formula 1, which is a big plus. I’m very thankful for the whole package.”
Now, Verstappen heads into his home race at Zandvoort aiming for a fourth win there.