Verstappen breaks silence after signing new Red Bull deal and sealing F1 future
Max Verstappen has been convinced by Formula One bosses over the direction of the sport after ending speculation about his future by signing a new long-term deal with Red Bull.
The four-time world champion's future has dominated the agenda throughout the season amid Red Bull’s disappointing form and his unhappiness at the sport's new regulations.
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But on Thursday, ahead of his home Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort this weekend, Red Bull confirmed that the Dutchman had signed a deal until 2030.
Verstappen, 28, has been the strongest critic of the sport’s new rules, which see a 50-50 split between electrical and internal combustion engine (ICE) power, even suggesting he may walk away from F1.
Changes have been announced for the next two seasons, with more power being generated by the ICE, while FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed his desire to bring a V8 engine back to the sport in 2030 – for the first time since 2013.
"I love racing and I had a lot of very good discussions with F1 and the FIA and I think we are slowly working towards something that becomes better and better," Verstappen said in his pre-race press conference.
"From my side, I adapted. I accepted the situation we are in – I am not happy with it – but the conversations I had with F1 and FIA are trying to make little improvements for next year and the year after.
"Plus the year that I signed to leaving the door open for a potential V8 return. I’m willing to accept that at the moment it is not fantastic but I still love racing.
"It is still an F1 car. This is still the pinnacle of motorsport and I want to be here."
Verstappen had been linked with a stunning move to Mercedes and McLaren as well as a possible exit from the sport.
"I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams," he added.
Verstappen fell just short of a fifth successive world championship last season, losing out to Lando Norris at the final race, but has yet to win in 2026 and is sixth in the standings – a whopping 110 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli.
His previous Red Bull contract ran until 2028, with performance-related break clauses offering him a potential exit, but the team and F1 bosses will be pleased to have secured Verstappen’s commitment.
The 28-year-old expressed his desire to finish his career with the Milton Keynes-based team, with whom he started in F1 as a 17-year-old in 2015.
"You need to feel good where you’re at. I feel very good in this team, I have the belief in the people that we can get back to the top. Time will tell," Verstappen said.
"I still want to win races, I am hungry to win more, plus Red Bull allows me to do things outside of F1. So the whole package is a big plus.
"I like it here. It would be a great story if that were possible – being picked up by Red Bull and finishing your career in one team. I don’t feel the need to change just to change or drive in another colour. It would be an amazing story."