The 4-time F1 Champion, Max Verstappen, has agreed to an extension of stay at the Oracle Red Bull Racing - Ford team till 2030 in a move that many did not expect. There has been rumours that Max might move to the AMG Mercedes team in 2027 as the Red Bull Racing RB22 - Red Bulls 2026 F1 car, has failed to meet the expectations of the F1 champion. This year marks the first year Red Bull is building its own engine in partnership with the American giant Ford. Although the engine has been credited as being one of the most powerful ICE engines (excluding the EV component), the team has struggled to match the dominant Mercedes with Ferrari and McLaren being the other teams to win so far in 2026.
By pinning his signature on the Red Bull team, Max has ensured stability in the team that has hemorrhage technical and administrative staff since its dominant years of 2022 to 2024. At this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, Max's home race, Oracle Red Bull Racing proudly confirmed Max Verstappen will continue with the Team until the end of the 2030 Formula One season, extending one of the most successful partnerships in F1 history.
Since joining the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2014 and making his Team debut in 2016 with a victory at his very first Grand Prix, Max has become far more than a driver. He is a defining part of Oracle Red Bull Racing’s history, identity and success. Together, Max and the Team have secured four Drivers’ World Championships, two Constructors’ World Championships and 71 Grand Prix victories, creating some of the most memorable moments of the modern era of F1.
Team principal Laurent Mekies said "Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, Oracle Red Bull Racing, as well as F1 and motorsport as a whole".
Laurent continued: "Very few partnerships in sport achieve what Max and this Team have. Since the very beginning, Max has embodied everything that makes Oracle Red Bull Racing special: uncompromising competitiveness, relentless determination and the courage to challenge convention. His impact on our Team and on Red Bull’s motorsport story has been transformational, and he has been fundamental to everything we have accomplished together".
Even though the new contract runs until 2030, there are exit clauses which allows Max to leave early if another opportunity arises to go to another team. These are noted as performance clauses with current clauses allowing the Dutchman to leave RB if he is lower than 2nd on the F1 table at certain stages of an F1 season.