Verstappen extends Red Bull contract through 2030

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands: Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with Red Bull through 2030, ending speculation over the four-time Formula One world champion’s immediate future, the team said on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Dutchman had been contracted until the end of 2028 but was linked with possible moves to Mercedes and McLaren amid Red Bull’s struggles under the sport’s new regulations.

Verstappen has yet to win a race this season, with two second-place finishes his best results after 11 rounds. Red Bull are fourth in the constructors’ standings, while Verstappen is sixth, 110 points behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.

Performance-related clauses in his previous contract were widely reported to provide an avenue for Verstappen to leave if Red Bull failed to produce a competitive car. Such provisions are expected to remain part of the new agreement.

Verstappen, who joined Red Bull’s junior programme in 2014 and has won all four of his world titles with the team, had also hinted that he could consider leaving Formula One over his concerns about the new regulations.

The new contract removes much of the uncertainty surrounding his future ahead of his home Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort this weekend, the circuit’s final appearance on the F1 calendar.

“I am really pleased with the contract extension,” Verstappen said in a Red Bull statement, while praising team principal Laurent Mekies and the wider organisation.

The Dutchman will now remain the centrepiece of Red Bull’s long-term plans as the team seeks to return to championship-winning form.