Verstappen commits his future to Red Bull

Max Verstappen will continue his journey with Red Bull into the 2030 season after the team announced a new contract extension for the four-time World Champion, bringing a definitive end to months of speculation over his future.

The Dutchman first joined the Milton Keynes-based outfit in 2016 in a mid-season promotion from sister team Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls), and has gone on to achieve a spectacular 71 victories and four Drivers' Championships. His most recent triumph in 2024 was followed by McLaren clinching both titles last season, when a stunning comeback by Verstappen resulted in him losing out on a fifth championship by just two points to Lando Norris.

However, Red Bull have dropped further down the pecking order under the new regulations, leading to speculation that the 28-year-old was beginning to explore options at other teams despite his previous contract lasting until 2028. The announcement, which comes in the build-up to Verstappen's home race in the Netherlands, highlights his belief that under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, Red Bull will return to race-winning ways sooner rather than later.

"A second family"

In a team statement, Red Bull labelled their relationship with Verstappen "one of the most successful and defining partnerships in F1 history", adding that the latest deal represents "a powerful statement of mutual trust and ambition – and a shared decision to shape the future together".

Reflecting on the announcement, Verstappen said: "I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people and I'm excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue."

"I have always said it: The team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home. 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. To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do."

Verstappen also paid tribute to Mekies — promoted to Team Principal in July 2025 — saying: "Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great, 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."

Mekies hails "greatest achievement"

Mekies has taken the squad through a rebuilding phase over the last year, leading the decision to maximise last season's opportunities at the cost of having an underdeveloped car at the beginning of 2026. Extending his star driver's contract is arguably the greatest achievement of his tenure to date.

"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," Mekies said. "Very few partnerships in sport achieve what Max and this team have. 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."

He added: "The decision to continue our journey together is rooted in the trust Max and the team have built over many years, as well as Max's confidence in our people, our culture and our vision for the future. But we are not done yet. There are more races to win, more milestones to achieve and more history to write."