Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull for another six years meaning he will be the team’s driver up to 2028.
Max Verstappen has signed a long-term contract extension with Red Bull, which will keep him with the club until the end of 2028. His contract has now been extended for another five years as the Dutchman had already signed another contract to stay with the team until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Verstappen praised the Milton Keynes-based team after his first World Championship triumph in 2021, and this revelation confirms his statements.
Verstappen’s new contract makes him the driver with the longest current contract on the grid.
Lando Norris is right behind him, having just signed a contract extension with McLaren that will keep him with the squad until the end of 2025. Meanwhile, Ferrari has signed Charles Leclerc until the end of 2024 season.
Verstappen joined Red Bull in mid-2014 as a junior driver and was later promoted to Red Bull’s senior Formula 1 team just four rounds into the 2016 season after little over a year competing for Toro Rosso which is Red Bull’s junior team.
The 23-year old later won his first race for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, marking him the sport’s youngest race winner. Verstappen has won 20 races since then, including a contentious final against Lewis Hamilton last year to capture his first world title.
Both parties expressed a desire to reach an agreement on a new long-term contract that would extend beyond the original expiration date of 2023, and this has now been accomplished.
“I really enjoy being part of the team, so choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision,” the reigning champion said.
“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.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner also expressed his delight on the new contract, he added : “To have Max signed with the team through to the end of 2028 is a real statement of intent.”
“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.”
