Home / Sports / Verstappen Nearly Quit F1, Stays with Red Bull Until 2030
Verstappen Nearly Quit F1, Stays with Red Bull Until 2030
20 Aug
Summary
- Max Verstappen considered retiring from Formula 1 before extending his Red Bull contract.
- The new deal with Red Bull runs until the end of the 2030 season.
- Verstappen cited potential future engine changes and a love for racing as reasons to stay.
Max Verstappen disclosed he seriously considered retiring from Formula 1 before signing a contract extension with Red Bull through the 2030 season. The four-time champion's decision was announced ahead of his home Dutch Grand Prix, concluding speculation about his future. Verstappen admitted to discussing potential departures with team principal Laurent Mekies early in the 2026 season. He was persuaded to stay by ongoing discussions with F1 and the FIA about car regulations, particularly the planned return to simpler V8 engines, and his enduring passion for motorsport.
The new contract, extending his tenure with Red Bull to 15 seasons, could establish the longest driver-team partnership in F1 history. Red Bull emphasized Verstappen's central role in the team's strategic decisions and its commitment to building a new winning cycle around him. Despite a winless start to the 2026 season, Verstappen's decision reflects his deep connection with the team that nurtured his career from a young age. His previous contract reportedly contained performance-related clauses that fueled rumors of an earlier departure.
