Verstappen contract extension timeline: from McLaren links to new deal until 2030

Verstappen has often been critical of the 2026 regulations, and early in the season, he also said that he needed to consider whether he wanted to remain in Formula 1.

He said back in Japan: "Yeah, I don't get upset about it. I don't get disappointed or frustrated by it anymore with what's going on. You know how I think about a lot of stuff, right? I don't need to mention it again. So a lot of stuff for me to personally figure out."

Similarly to the previous season, Verstappen was heavily linked with joining another team. Unlike in 2025, when Mercedes was the rumored destination, the Dutchman was linked with a move to McLaren instead.

GPblog previously reported that talks have indeed been held with McLaren’s leadership, between CEO Zak Brown and Verstappen individually, and between the American and the management of the four-time world champion.

However, Brown also made it clear that any potential collaboration would only take place in the longer term, rather than in 2027. The American also said: "We're very happy with our driver line-up. It has stayed like that for a couple of years, so I don't see any opportunity at the moment here at McLaren.

During the first half of the season, it also became clear that the Red Bull driver would not be among the top drivers in the standings heading into the summer break, meaning he could activate his clause to leave the team. The deadline for doing so was in mid-October.

Rumors also suggested that Red Bull's top brass had grown frustrated with Verstappen for not making a final decision over the past few months, and that Marko Mateschitz, the son of Dietrich, no longer wanted to keep the Dutchman at all costs. It was also claimed that Red Bull wanted to buy out Verstappen exit clause as well.

Meanwhile, Verstappen was constantly asked about his future. At the Belgian Grand Prix, he kept things brief. "No. There’s nothing to say from my side. I said there’s nothing to say," he said.

In Hungary, he added: "I am feeling good, and you know, from my side, what I'm saying that there is nothing to say is because there's nothing going on.

During the 2025 season, Verstappen confirmed at the Hungaroring that he would remain with Red Bull Racing. This year, he made the announcement at Zandvoort. He has also signed a new contract that will keep him with the team until 2030.

He said: "I am really pleased with the contract extension. We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue. I want to thank Red Bull, Laurent and everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the trust they put in me."