Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation over his Formula One future by signing a new Red Bull contract through 2030. The four-time world champion is remaining with the team despite one of its toughest seasons in years.
Verstappen’s previous contract ran to 2028 but included performance-related exit clauses that could have allowed for an early exit. Red Bull has struggled under the new Formula One regulations, and both Mercedes and McLaren have had talks with the Dutch driver.
The extension now takes Verstappen off the market and gives Red Bull a long-term cornerstone around which to rebuild.
«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,» said team principal Laurent Mekies.
Verstappen described Red Bull as his «second family» and said his main aim was still to get the team back to the front. He sits sixth in the 2026 drivers’ standings, 110 points behind Mercedes racer Kimi Antonelli, while Red Bull is fourth in the constructors’ championship.
Who is Max Verstappen?
The 28-year-old came through the Red Bull junior programme in 2014 and made his Formula One debut at the age of just 17. He joined Red Bull’s senior team in 2016 and won his first race for them in Spain, becoming the youngest grand prix winner in F1 history.
Read more: Max Verstappen committed to Red Bull despite ongoing exit rumours
Verstappen won four world championships in a row from 2021 to 2024, steering Red Bull through one of the most dominant periods in the sport’s history. He achieved all his championships and grand prix wins within the Red Bull system.
Mekies replaces Christian Horner as Red Bull boss in July 2025. The French engineer, who has been responsible for sister team Racing Bulls, held senior roles at Ferrari and motorsport’s governing body, the FIA.
