Max Verstappen has inked a new 5-year deal with Red Bull for a rumored 50 million euro per season. Max has a contract in place for this year and next so this adds five years to his existing two-years for a total of seven.
If the rumor of 50 million euro is true, that does place Max amongst the equally rumored pay range of Lewis Hamilton. Both are world champions but Red Bull must feel confident give that Lewis has seven titles to justify his price tag with Max having one.
“I really enjoy being part of the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, so choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision,” Verstappen said.
“I love this team and last year was simply incredible, our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term.”
Something Adam Cooper pointed out in his article that I thought was very astute was centered around Christian Horner’s comment about Max’s new deal.
“To have Max signed with Oracle Red Bull Racing through to the end of 2028 is a real statement of intent,” said Horner.
“Our immediate focus is on retaining Max’s world championship title, but this deal also shows he is a part of the team’s long-term planning.
“With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026 we wanted to make sure we had the best driver on the grid secured for that car.”
Adam made the very good point that securing Max long-term does boost their prospects of securing a new engine deal for 2025. With Honda leaving the sport and Red Bull forced to maintain the aging Honda hybrid power unit themselves, there may be a time when VW or others might be lured into the series with a top team such as Red Bull and a driver like Max.
I totally believe a driver like Max or Charles will maintain or surpass their present level of skill for many years to come.
Whether a top team can provide a championship contending car year after year is a different story, I think.
I don’t think Lewis had any foresight into that during 2012. Sebastian and Fernando thought they did going into 2015 and we know how that turned out.
It’s a good point. I tend to think, I don’t know this as fact, that when Ross started Merc and Michael and Nico were driving and developing, the regulations changes in 2014 were heavily influenced by Ross and I think they knew the direction they were moving. Not saying there wasn’t a gamble with Lewis’s decision, I think there was but I think Niki knew where they were heading (resource and regulations wise) and convinced Lewis to gamble. Brilliant move by Lewis, simply brilliant. I praised it at the time when many McLaren fans were questioning it. Not that I… Read more »