Max Verstappen extends Red Bull Racing contract

Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull Racing, following a period of significant performance recovery for the team. After a difficult start to the season where the team struggled near the back of the grid, recent upgrades in Baku, Malaysia, and Singapore have returned the car to competitive levels.

Addressing speculation regarding whether he knew about these technical improvements before signing his extension, Verstappen stated that the discussions were focused on the long-term vision and future development of the team rather than specific immediate upgrades. He noted that while the recent progress is a “nice advantage,” the decision was based on his comfort with the team and their shared ideas.

Verstappen also revealed that he had previously considered retiring from Formula 1 due to dissatisfaction with the sport's regulatory direction, particularly regarding the 2026 engine rules. However, he expressed optimism about upcoming changes that will increase the role of internal combustion engines. While his new agreement extends his tenure, he cautioned that it is not a definitive guarantee of his presence in the sport through the end of the contract.