Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, extended his contract with Red Bull until the end of 2030, adding two more years to an agreement that already ran until the end of 2028. During the press conference following the announcement, Verstappen joked about the question regarding his decision: "I was closer to retiring than to changing teams".
The Dutch driver had faced existential questions about his Formula 1 future this season. The first arose with the new engine regulations introduced this year: did he want to continue competing in this form of sport? The second followed after: did he want to remain at the team that had been his home since the start of his career at the top level of the sport?
Three races into the season, following the Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen's frustration with the new hybrid engines reached its peak. The need to constantly recover energy to power the batteries, the inability to do so sufficiently to keep them fully charged, and the artificiality introduced into racing as a consequence, were too much for the Dutchman. "Is it worth it?", Verstappen questioned publicly. "Or would I prefer to be more at home with my family? See more of my friends when you're not enjoying your sport?"
After meeting with Formula 1 and FIA leaders, Verstappen's tone softened in the final races before the summer break. On Thursday he confirmed a change of stance. "After the first few races, I told Laurent Mekies not to ask me questions about the future because I didn't even know if I wanted to stay," Verstappen said. "I love motorsport. I had many very good conversations with F1, but also with the FIA. And I think we are slowly working towards something that is becoming better and better."
The sport's authorities have introduced adjustments to the regulations over the next two years to increase the proportion of engine power coming from the internal combustion side. By 2028, the split between internal combustion and electric power is expected to be 60:40 in favour of the internal combustion engine, compared to approximately 53:47 currently, which should alleviate the energy shortage issues that have affected drivers.
