Max Verstappen justified his choice to extend with Red Bull until 2030, mentioning his attachment to the team and his confidence in the project led by Laurent Mekies.
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The day after the announcement of his extension, Max Verstappen explained the reasons that convinced him to continue his adventure with Red Bull. The four-time world champion signed a new contract tying him to the Milton Keynes team until the end of the 2030 season.
His previous agreement ran until 2028, but performance-related clauses linked to Red Bull had fueled speculation about a possible early departure. Despite the difficulties faced by the team this season and the many changes in recent years, Verstappen ultimately chose continuity.
“I am really very happy with this contract extension. We have the best people and I look forward to continuing to work with everyone to get back to the top” said the Dutchman.
“The team is like a second family”
Beyond sporting ambitions, Verstappen emphasizes the special bond he has with Red Bull. Arriving at the team in 2016 after only one full season in Formula 1, he built his entire top-level record there.
Since then, the Dutchman has won four world titles and accumulated victories with the Milton Keynes team. A shared history that heavily influenced his decision to extend.
“I’ve always said: the team is like a second family to me and I really feel at home there. I joined this team hoping to win races. What we have then achieved together has been simply magnificent.”
Verstappen also acknowledges the special dimension of continuing his career with the same structure.
“Continuing this adventure with the team with which I have spent my entire career is really special and it is something I have always wanted to do.”
Verstappen believes in Laurent Mekies’ project
This extension comes after a period of profound renewal at Red Bull. Several major figures from the era when the team dominated Formula 1 have left Milton Keynes in recent years.
Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, and Adrian Newey are notably no longer part of the organization. Verstappen will also have to manage from 2028 without his historic race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who will join McLaren.
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These departures have not, however, shaken his confidence in the new project. Verstappen notably highlights the work done by Laurent Mekies, who now leads Red Bull.
“Working with Laurent for over a year has also been great. I clearly see the vision he has for the team, explains Verstappen. Everyone at Milton Keynes believes in what we are building.”
One goal: bring Red Bull back to the top
The sporting context also makes this decision significant. Red Bull no longer displays the dominance that allowed it to string together world titles with Verstappen, while Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren represent particularly strong competition.
For the Dutchman, the extension therefore does not simply mean continuing a fruitful collaboration. It comes with a clear goal: to rebuild a team capable of regularly fighting for wins and championships.
“Getting back to the top remains the ultimate goal we are all working towards and will continue to pursue, he insists.
Verstappen thus wants to directly participate in this new phase of Red Bull’s history: “I look forward to the next chapter, fighting for more wins and competing for championships as we continue to shape the future of this team.”
A symbolic announcement at Zandvoort
The timing of the announcement also has a special dimension for Verstappen. His extension was made official on the occasion of the Dutch Grand Prix, which this weekend holds its last edition at Zandvoort before leaving the calendar.
“Making this announcement during the last Grand Prix at Zandvoort is also a great moment for me” he emphasizes.
In front of his home crowd, Verstappen now hopes to accompany this announcement with a result worthy of the event: “I hope we can give the fans a special farewell for this last race.”
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