The exhausting saga between Verstappen and Red Bull is finally over

Until the beginning of 2024, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing seemed destined for each other. Up to that point, there had been no visible cracks in their 'marriage', which had already produced three world titles. The first cracks appeared in early 2024 amid the storm surrounding then-team principal Christian Horner.

Several key figures left, and for the first time, Verstappen's departure seemed like a realistic possibility. Talks were held with Mercedes, but Verstappen stayed with Red Bull and secured his fourth world title. In 2025, the scenario repeated itself. Once again, the Dutchman spoke with Mercedes, but no deal materialized.

Verstappen remained loyal to Red Bull after Horner was shown the door, and under Laurent Mekies, the team began to show signs of an upward trend that nearly led to his fifth F1 title. The Dutchman missed out by just two points, but Red Bull's surge in the second half of the season was impressive.

Despite that upward trend, the rumors started all over again in 2026. Verstappen was unhappy with the new F1 cars and Red Bull's performance. The Red Bull Ford power unit performed better than expected, but the car designed by Pierre Waché's team was a disappointment. Once again, Verstappen looked around. This time, there was also some interest from McLaren, but it did not lead to a deal.

The repetitive narrative became tiresome, because for the third year in a row, it mostly seemed like a way to put pressure on Red Bull: pressure to perform better and possibly to secure a new, improved deal. That unrest also made it difficult for Red Bull Racing to keep progressing in recent years. Key figures left the team, and it is difficult to attract new talent when your biggest asset is openly questioning his future with the team.

With the new deal, Verstappen has finally put an end to all the speculation. No more fuss about exit clauses or talks with other teams. There is now a real commitment from Verstappen to Red Bull, and the Dutchman will remain with the Austrian outfit for at least another four and a half seasons. For now, the storm has passed.

Because everyone knows how things ultimately work in Formula 1. If Red Bull underperforms, attention will inevitably turn to other teams. People will always wonder what clauses are included in this new contract. Because no, neither Mekies nor Verstappen addressed that, but that does not mean they aren't there.

“We are here today to tell you guys that we are committed to each other. The team and Max, until the end of 2030. Everything else is our business,” Mekies said.

As is often the case in F1, those clauses will eventually become public knowledge. Hopefully for Verstappen, he won't need to use them and Red Bull will continue on its upward trajectory, starting in Zandvoort.