Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has signed a new contract extension with Red Bull that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2030 season, ending months of speculation about his future in the sport.
The Dutch driver had been linked with potential moves to Mercedes and McLaren and had previously suggested he might retire from Formula One altogether due to his dissatisfaction with the new regulations introduced this season. However, ahead of his home race at the Dutch Grand Prix, the 28-year-old confirmed he would continue his partnership with Red Bull through the remainder of the decade.
Verstappen's previous contract was set to expire at the end of 2028 but included performance-based break clauses that would have allowed him to leave if he chose to do so. The new deal extends his commitment by two additional years.
"The team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home," Verstappen said in a statement. "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."
The timing of the announcement is particularly significant given Red Bull's current struggles. The team has faced challenges adapting to the new technical regulations this season, while Mercedes has emerged with a dominant car. Verstappen currently sits sixth in the world championship standings, 110 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli, with only two second-place finishes to his name so far this year.
Verstappen has been vocal about his dislike for the new regulations and their emphasis on energy management, sentiments shared by many other drivers on the grid. Despite these frustrations, he expressed confidence in Red Bull's ability to recover and return to championship contention.
The driver also highlighted his positive working relationship with Laurent Mekies, Red Bull's team principal who took over from Christian Horner last July. "Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great," Verstappen said. "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."
Mekies emphasized the importance of securing Verstappen's future with the team. "Very few partnerships in sport achieve what Max and this team have," the team principal said. "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."
Verstappen will be 33 years old when his contract expires in 2030, potentially allowing him to pursue additional years in Formula One beyond that point should he wish to continue racing.