Max Verstappen’s new contract with Red Bull could earn him a fortune until 2030. Some even mention the billion-dollar mark, but Laurent Mekies tempers the speculation.
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How much will Max Verstappen really earn with his new contract at Red Bull? A few days after the official announcement of his extension until the end of the 2030 season, speculation is rife about the astronomical sums that would accompany this commitment.
And some figures are dizzying. Robert Doornbos notably estimates that the cumulative income of his Dutch compatriot could eventually approach a billion dollars when taking into account his salary, bonuses, and various personal contracts.
Nico Rosberg, for his part, mentions a remuneration close to 80 million euros per season at Red Bull. An estimate directly submitted to Laurent Mekies, who nevertheless assures that this figure is incorrect.
Verstappen soon a billionaire thanks to F1 ?
Guest on the Pit Talk podcast, Doornbos looked into the sums Verstappen could generate over the coming years.
According to the former Formula 1 driver, one should not only consider the salary paid by Red Bull. Bonuses linked to results as well as the personal advertising contracts of the four-time world champion could significantly increase his income.
“Depending on whether he becomes world champion or not and if new personal sponsors are added, for example with big contracts like Heineken, additional sums can be paid,” explains Doornbos.
He even estimates that Verstappen could reach a historic threshold for a Dutch athlete.
“Max belongs to the global elite of sport as a business. He will become the first Dutch billionaire athlete.”
Doornbos notably highlights the role played by Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, and Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull executive, in negotiating the new contract.
“He knows what Red Bull is worth and he knows what Max is worth. Max deserves every cent that Red Bull pays him.”
Rosberg mentions 80 million euros per season
Nico Rosberg offers a more precise estimate regarding the salary directly paid by Red Bull.
The 2016 world champion considers that Verstappen’s value far exceeds his driving performance alone. In a more difficult period for the Milton Keynes team, keeping their star driver also brings valuable stability.
“They need stability, so they offer him a bit more money,” Rosberg estimates to Kölner Express.
The German thus places the Dutchman’s annual remuneration in a particularly high range.
“The range is between 70 and 90 million per year, so let’s take 80 million.”
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Over several seasons, the amount paid by Red Bull would already reach several hundred million euros, even before adding possible bonuses and Verstappen’s personal commercial income.
McLaren was used to raise the bids
Rosberg also has his theory regarding the discussions between Verstappen and McLaren.
While the Woking team appeared as the most credible destination in case of departure from Red Bull, the former Mercedes driver thinks these negotiations mainly strengthened the Dutchman’s position when discussing his new contract.
“He certainly negotiated with McLaren, but I think it was only to strengthen his position at Red Bull,” Rosberg states.
A way, according to him, to remind his team that other top teams were ready to be interested in his services.
Verstappen ultimately chose to extend until 2030, putting an end to speculation about a possible activation of the exit clause present in his previous contract.
Mekies denies the 80 million salary
At Zandvoort, Rosberg directly confronted Laurent Mekies about his information on the four-time world champion’s salary.
“What I hear is 80 million per year. Is that true ?” asked the former world champion to the Red Bull boss on Sky.
Mekies responded with a smile that Rosberg was “not right.”
However, the Frenchman did not reveal the actual amount of the contract. He prefers to emphasize the sporting reasons that would have convinced Verstappen to continue the adventure.
“It really rests on the trust Max places in the 2,000 people we have at Milton Keynes, both on the chassis side and the power unit side.”
“He is much more than the fastest driver in the world”
In a period where Red Bull is going through more sporting difficulties, Verstappen’s decision to extend is an important vote of confidence in the project.
“He knows what our teams are capable of and he has chosen to trust us for the future,” Mekies emphasizes.
The Red Bull boss also recalls that Verstappen’s importance now far exceeds his role behind the wheel.
“For us, he is much more than simply the fastest driver in the world.”
The exact amount of his new contract therefore remains confidential and the estimates of 80 million euros annually or a billion dollars in cumulative income remain speculative at this stage.
One certainty remains: by locking Verstappen until 2030, Red Bull has secured one of the most precious assets in all of Formula 1. And whatever the amount actually written on his contract, the deal could be one of the most important in the history of the sport.
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