Helmut Marko, Red Bull F1 Motorsport Advisor, admits that Max Verstappen’s new deal by 2028 is Red Bull Racing’s first exceptional long-term deal.
Red Bull Racing announced on Thursday, March 3rd that it has signed a new five-year contract with active F1 World Champion Max Verstappen until the 2028 season.
This guarantees Max Verstappen the longest contract on the F1 grid, even longer than previously announced McLaren Lando Norris (2025) and Charles Leclerc (2024).
If Max Verstappen completes his contract and stays at Red Bull Racing until the end of 2028, Verstappen breaks Michael Schumacher’s record and is the longest member of one team, given the current length of the F1 calendar. However, he will be the driver who has made the most race starts.
It’s clear to everyone how much Red Bull loves Max Verstappen, who has number one car in the Red Bull RB18 this season.
Currently, 24-year-old Max Verstappen is 31 at the end of the new contract, but Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher both won more driver’s titles in their 30s than in their 20s. It is possible to spend the best years in motor sports.
Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing is heading into a new era, with the newly established engine division Red Bull Powertrains operating F1 engines from 2023 and preparing to become its own engine manufacturer from 2026.
Therefore, it was important to secure a contract with Max Verstappen, one of the best motorsport drivers, and prevent him from being pulled out of his rivals in the long run.
“I’m not talking regarding numbers, but both are very happy and will continue to do so,” Helmut Marko told F1 Insider.
“The fact that we appreciate Max is clear from the term of the new contract. Normally, Red Bull does not make such a long commitment.”
“It’s a well-known fact that characters are a very important quality in Red Bull, and we appreciate it very much.”
Category: Category: F1 / Red bull / Max Verstappen
