Max Verstappen renews with Red Bull until 2030 and ends exit speculation

Max Verstappen will remain with the Red Bull Formula 1 team until the end of 2030. On the eve of the Dutch Grand Prix, which he competes in at home, the four-time world champion signed on Thursday (20) an extension that extends by two seasons a contract that would end in 2028 and puts an end to months of speculation about a possible transfer to Mercedes or McLaren.

The previous bond provided for clauses linked to the team’s performance, which could facilitate an early departure. The hypothesis gained strength with the Austrian team’s drop in performance in the first year of the new Formula 1 technical regulations: after 11 rounds, Red Bull is the only team in the top 4 that has not yet won in 2026 and occupies fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship.

A decade in Milton Keynes

Verstappen has been part of the Red Bull structure since 2014, when he joined the brand’s young driver program. Promoted to the main team in 2016, in the middle of the season, he won on his debut, at the Spanish GP. Since then, he has won 71 victories, four drivers’ world titles, won consecutively between 2021 and 2024, and helped the team lift two constructors’ trophies.

“I’ve always said this: the team is like a second family to me and I feel very much at home,” the Dutchman said in a statement released by Red Bull. “To continue this journey with the same team that I have competed for my entire career is really special and something I have always wanted to do.”

The announcement was made in the week of the last Dutch GP to be held at Zandvoort, which, according to the driver, makes the weekend even more symbolic for him and the local fans.

New cycle with Mekies and Ford

The renewal comes at a time of transition for Red Bull. The team is led by Laurent Mekies, promoted to boss after the departure of Christian Horner in July, and debuts this year Red Bull Ford Powertrains as a power unit manufacturer, in partnership with the American automaker.

“Few partnerships in the sport achieve what Max and this team have achieved,” said Mekies, who called the extension fantastic news. “His impact on our team and Red Bull’s motorsport history has been transformative.”

Verstappen arrives at the Dutch GP in sixth place in the drivers’ championship, with 109 points, 110 behind leader Kimi Antonelli, from Mercedes. The recent performance, however, is more consistent: the Dutchman was second in Hungary and Austria and third in Belgium and Canada. The signed contract now gives him four seasons to try to put Red Bull back in contention for the title.