PARIS — Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has ended speculation over his future by signing a contract extension with Red Bull through the end of the 2030 season, the team announced on Thursday.
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The 28-year-old Dutch driver was previously under contract until the end of 2028, but his deal contained exit clauses allowing him to leave early if the team failed to remain competitive or provide a car capable of fighting for wins and titles.
According to Dutch media reports, Red Bull's slump in performance this season was believed to have triggered those performance-related exit clauses in Verstappen's contract.
Red Bull currently sits fourth in the Constructors' Championship, while Verstappen holds sixth place in the Drivers' Standings—110 points behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli—after 11 races and ahead of next weekend's Dutch Grand Prix.
Media reports had previously linked Verstappen with potential moves to McLaren or Constructors' leaders Mercedes, particularly after McLaren signed his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, effective no later than 2028.
"I am extremely happy to extend my contract," Verstappen, who joined Red Bull's driver development program in 2014 and secured all four of his world titles with the team, said in a statement. "We have the best talent, and I am excited to keep working with everyone to get back to the top... That remains the ultimate goal we are all striving for and will continue working toward."
"I have always said that this team feels like my second family, and I feel right at home here. Continuing this journey with the same team that has been by my side throughout my entire professional career is incredibly special, and it is what I have always envisioned," he added.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies stated that few partnerships in sports history have achieved what Verstappen and Red Bull have accomplished together, emphasizing that the extension reflects deep mutual trust.
"From day one, Max has embodied everything Oracle Red Bull Racing stands for: an uncompromising competitive spirit, relentless determination, and the courage to push boundaries," Mekies said. "His impact on the team and on Red Bull's motorsport legacy has been extraordinary, serving as a core pillar of all our shared success."
"However, our journey is far from over. There are still races to win, achievements to unlock, and new chapters of history left to write," Mekies concluded.
