Verstappen Squashes F1 Exit Rumours after New Long-Term Red Bull Contract
· Yahoo Sports
Max Verstappen has further extended his stay at Red Bull Racing after signing a new long-term contract to remain with the team until F1 2030.
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Amid fresh typical rumour relating to Verstappen and his future in F1, the Dutchman has squashed all that by signing a new deal with Red Bull Racing on the eve of his home Dutch GP at Circuit Zandvoort. Putting huge faith on the team, the four-time champion has inked a long-term deal to stay until 2030 season.
All rumours squashed by Verstappen
Having started out his Red Bull career midway in 2016, it will be 14.5 seasons by the end of 2030 for Verstappen with the same team. Much has been said about the Dutchman in the last few seasons, with links not just with Mercedes but also McLaren in recent times. A sabbatical from F1 hasn’t been ruled out as well.
His growing presence in GT races, especially at Nordschleife in the 24 Hour races, has linked his future to outside F1. The 2026 regulations hasn’t helped either. But with changes proposed to the rules in the coming seasons, it has helped Verstappen to put faith on the Red Bull-Ford project.
Verstappen new Red Bull F1 contract
Verstappen has been mainstay at Red Bull. “I am really pleased with the contract extension,” he said upon the announcement. “We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue. I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me.
“I have always said it: The Team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home, 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 continue this journey with the same Team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do.
“Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great, I see a clear vision he has for the Team. Everyone in Milton Keynes believes in what we are building and I am looking forward to the next chapter, fighting for more victories and competing for championships as we continue to shape the future of this Team.
“To make this announcement during the last Grand Prix at Zandvoort is a great moment for me as well. Hopefully we can give the fans a special send-off for the final race,” summed up Verstappen, who will have Liam Lawson at his side again at Zandvoort, after regular teammate Isack Hadjar got injured in summer break.
Mekies on Verstappen’s new F1 contract
Red Bull F1 team principal Laurent Mekies, added: “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. Very few partnerships in sport achieve what Max and this Team have.
“Since the very beginning, Max has embodied everything that makes Oracle Red Bull Racing special: uncompromising competitiveness, relentless determination and the courage to challenge convention. His impact on our Team and on Red Bull’s motorsport story has been transformational, and he has been fundamental to everything we have accomplished together.
“The decision to continue our journey together is rooted in the trust Max and the Team have built over many years, as well as Max’s confidence in our people, our culture and our vision for the future. Forged through championship-winning success, intense battles and challenging moments alike, this relationship has only grown stronger – making it one of Formula One’s greatest success stories.
“But we are not done yet. There are more races to win, more milestones to achieve and more history to write. Together, we continue to raise the bar with the same determination that brought us to the top of the sport and an even greater faith in what we can achieve. Much will evolve as we move forward, but our ambition remains unchanged – united by one direction, one vision, one Team.”