‘Six more years of full send,’ Max Verstappen pens down massive contract extension with Red Bull
After winning the F1 world championship with Red Bull in 2021, Max Verstappen is ready to stay with them for another six seasons, as he signs a massive contract extension with the team, which will last until 2028. Max Verstappen became the first driver for Red Bull to win the WDC after Sebastian Vettel won it in 2012 for the fourth consecutive time. And now the reigning champion would also be looking forward to bringing the golden days of the team back.
This contract extension is one of the wishes that has come true for the Dutch driver as he spoke about ‘doing with the team for a long’ post his win in Abu Dhabi over the radio. The contract for Max was due to expire at the end of 2023 but will now last for a long time as the Dutch believe in the project and plans to defend his title and win more in the upcoming years.
For Verstappen, as he says, this was an easy decision. He says, as quoted by the Race, “Choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision,” said Verstappen. I love this team and last year was simply incredible. Our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term.”
Christian Horner display of trust in Max Verstappen
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, has said heaps of praise for Max. It was clear as a crystal that the Dutch driver was getting a contract extension with the team. Recently, the boss, praising Max, said, “He’s got that inner burning desire. He’s a real fighter. You know when you put him in the car, he’s going to give you 110 percent.”
After the contract extension, Max has become the driver with the longest contract in F1, which shows Red Bull’s belief in the driver. This show of trust is far more than when they had brought the 17-year old Max Verstappen into the team.
On this massive deal, Christian Horner said, “Our immediate focus is on retaining Max’s world championship title, but this deal also shows he is a part of the team’s long-term planning. With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026 we wanted to make sure we had the best driver on the grid secured for that car.”
Contracts like this are rare in the ever-so-competitive sport of F1. With most of the grid’s contract about to expire, only Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are in for a long ride with their respective teams.
Manan Goel
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