Max Verstappen signs new Red Bull deal until 2030
Max Verstappen admitted he “was closer to retiring than changing teams” after signing a new deal with Red Bull. The Dutchman put pen to paper for a contract keeping him with the team until 2030, with his initial deal running till the end of 2028, reports BritPanorama.
The four-time world champion had been linked to Mercedes and McLaren, but he has now shared that retirement from the sport was more likely than a move. He stated, “I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams. I never felt that desire or need to change to another team, to try and win somewhere else. If I feel well within the team here, why should I?”
Verstappen has been with Red Bull throughout his whole F1 career and looks forward to future rule changes and the potential return of V8 engines. He reiterated his positive relationship with the team, which he has been a part of for a decade, saying, “I always said, and I said this when [founder] Dietrich [Mateschitz] was still alive, my goal and target is to finish my career in this team. And I think we are getting close to that.”
His announcement comes ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend. Upon signing the deal, Verstappen expressed satisfaction, remarking, “I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people, and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again.”
The Dutchman reflected on his time with Red Bull, saying, “I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent [Mekies], and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me.” He described the team as a second family, noting, “What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely, and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships.”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies hailed the deal as a key moment for the constructor and the sport, stating, “Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, Oracle Red Bull Racing, as well as F1 and motorsport as a whole.” Currently, Verstappen seeks his first victory of the season after narrowly losing last year’s championship to McLaren’s Lando Norris.
As the engine roars towards Zandvoort, it’s a poignant reminder of how swiftly elite talent can shift allegiances or take a step back, but for Verstappen, the decision to stay put is not just about titles but about familial bonds forged in the heat of competition.
