Lewis Hamilton believes that staying loyal to Red Bull will not fundamentally change Max Verstappen’s legacy in F1, while considering his choice perfectly logical.
Read more Kimi Antonelli accepts a grid penalty for his home Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton spoke about the decision of Max Verstappen to extend his adventure with Red Bull. The Dutchman ended the speculation surrounding his future by signing a new contract that ties him to the Milton Keynes team until the end of the 2030 season.
Verstappen’s decision was particularly awaited after several months of rumors. The four-time world champion had been linked to other teams and had been very critical of the new regulations introduced in 2026, to the point that the possibility of an early departure from Formula 1 had also been mentioned.
For Hamilton, however, this extension is nothing surprising. Asked about the subject in Zandvoort, the Ferrari driver admitted he did not pay much attention to the speculation surrounding his former title rival.
“I didn’t really think about it, so not really” Hamilton replied when asked if he was surprised by Verstappen’s decision.
Hamilton is pleased to see Verstappen stay in F1
Verstappen’s long-term presence also guarantees Formula 1 will keep one of its main figures during the coming seasons. Despite the criticisms made by the Dutchman towards the 2026 cars, he will therefore be present throughout the current regulatory cycle.
When asked if the Red Bull driver’s decision was good news for the championship, Hamilton was particularly straightforward.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be ?” replied the seven-time world champion.
The two men delivered one of the most intense title fights in recent F1 history in 2021. Since then, circumstances have rarely allowed them to be directly opposed for the championship. This season, Hamilton is however in second place in the standings and aims for an eighth world title, his first under Ferrari colors.
Does Verstappen need to win elsewhere to make history?
Verstappen’s extension also raises a question about his legacy. When his new contract ends, the Dutchman will have spent nearly fifteen years in the Red Bull environment in Formula 1, the vast majority of which with the main team.
Read more Max Verstappen reveals he was closer to leaving F1 than Red Bull
Hamilton has a different experience. Crowned for the first time with McLaren in 2008, he then won six championships with Mercedes before taking on a new challenge at Ferrari from 2025.
However, the Briton does not consider that a driver necessarily has to change teams and win elsewhere to strengthen his place in history.
“I don’t really have a particular opinion on that. I don’t know if it makes a huge difference”, explains Hamilton. “He is in a great team. He has been with them for a very, very long time and they keep moving forward. It’s clearly an amazing place to work.”
“The easiest thing is always to stay where you feel good”
Hamilton nevertheless points out that changing environment always carries a risk. F1 history is full of transfers that allowed some drivers to reach a new level, while other team changes proved much less fruitful.
“When you look at the history of drivers who change teams, some have done it many times. Sometimes, it’s a good thing, sometimes a bad one” he observes.
Hamilton therefore finds it perfectly understandable that Verstappen favored stability while Red Bull builds its future around him.
“The easiest thing is obviously always to stay where you feel comfortable. It’s his choice and it’s not a bad choice.”
By extending until 2030, Verstappen has in any case chosen to tie his story even more closely to that of Red Bull. For Hamilton, this loyalty should neither diminish nor disrupt the way his rival’s career will be judged.
Read more Lewis Hamilton warned after several costly mistakes in the title fight