“Why Should I?” Verstappen Rejects Move, Signs Red Bull Contract Until 2030

Max Verstappen Commits to Red Bull Through 2030

Max Verstappen closer to retiring than leaving Red Bull before signing deal to 2030. Bull Extension ends Mercedes and McLaren rumors.

Max Verstappen was closer to retiring than changing teams before signing new Red Bull deal...

Max Verstappen says he wants to finish his Formula 1 career at Red Bull after extending his contract through 2030. On Thursday, the four-time world champion revealed that walking away from F1 was actually more likely than joining a rival team before he committed to staying.

He’d been heavily linked to Mercedes and McLaren in recent weeks, but Verstappen downplayed those rumors after the announcement came at his home race, the Dutch Grand Prix.

“I think I was closer to retiring than changing teams,” the 28-year-old told reporters.

Verstappen has been vocal about disliking F1’s new engine era and the way the cars now have to be driven with a bigger electric element. He made it clear at the start of the season that he was considering his future.

He told team principal Laurent Mekies early in the year not to bring up contract talks, saying he wasn’t sure if he even wanted to remain in the sport.

The Dutchman has spent his entire F1 career at Red Bull. He added that he’s had positive talks with the FIA and F1 bosses, and he’s now looking ahead to upcoming rule changes, including the potential comeback of V8 engines in 2030.

It's been quite the journey together... so far 💙#F1 || @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/IcMZlcA8SX

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) August 20, 2026

Verstappen said he’s made peace with the car’s current struggles, still believes the team can get back to winning, and called it a “great story” if he ended up spending his whole F1 career with the energy drink outfit.

The team has also given him room to chase things outside F1, like endurance racing, and they’ve been upfront with each other about everything.

“I never felt that desire or need ‌to change to another team, to try and win somewhere else,” he explained. “If I feel well within the team here, why should I?”

Verstappen said Red Bull feels like a second family to him he’s been there for a decade and that he has a really strong relationship with Laurent Mekies, who took over from Christian Horner last year.

“I always said, and I said this when (founder) Dietrich (Mateschitz) was still alive, my goal and target is to finish my career in this team. And I think we are getting close to that. I mean, of course ‌there are a lot of years ahead, but that's still the target.

“So that's why I'm very proud to extend and of course try to get back ‌to the top.”

Mekies called the contract extension a clear sign of mutual trust.

“He's a lot more than the fastest driver in the world for us. We have been saying it many, many times. He's the central point of the team. He's one we always refer to for all the strategic decisions ⁠we are making.

“And to know that ⁠he's going to be with us ‌in order to build that next winning cycle is phenomenal.”