Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has signed a brand new contract at Red Bull till the tip of 2030.
The transfer ought to finish hypothesis in regards to the Dutchman’s future on the finish of this season, after he had been linked with potential strikes to Mercedes or McLaren.
Verstappen was beforehand contracted to the tip of 2028, however there have been clauses in his contract that will have allowed him to go away on the finish of the present Formula One season had he needed.
“We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again,” mentioned Verstappen, 28.
“This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue.
“I’ve all the time mentioned it: the staff is sort of a second household for me and I really feel very at dwelling.
“I came to the team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships.
“To proceed this journey with the identical staff that I’ve been with my complete profession is admittedly particular and one thing I’ve all the time needed to do.”
Red Bull have had a difficult start to the era of new regulations for cars and engines introduced for this season.
Verstappen’s best results have been two second places, in the Austrian and Hungarian Grands Prix, after coming within two points of beating McLaren’s Lando Norris to the world title last season. That 2025 close call followed a dramatic fightback in the second half of the season from a deficit of more than 100 points to the championship lead.
Red Bull’s lack of performance has led to Verstappen voicing frustration on a number of occasions, but in the end he has decided to stick with what he knows.
The decision comes despite his trusted race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase signing to join McLaren by 2028.
Verstappen’s renewal statement included praise for team principal Laurent Mekies, who took over last July after former boss Christian Horner was sacked following a turbulent 18-month period and a decline in competitiveness.
“Getting to work with Laurent now for over a 12 months has additionally been nice, I see a transparent imaginative and prescient he has for the staff,” Verstappen mentioned.
“Everyone [at Red Bull’s base] in Milton Keynes believes in what we’re constructing and I’m wanting ahead to the subsequent chapter, preventing for extra victories and competing for championships as we proceed to form the way forward for this staff.”
The announcement has been timed to coincide with Verstappen’s remaining dwelling race this weekend earlier than the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort falls off the calendar.