Christian Horner has described Max Verstappen's massive new contract extension as a "real statement of intent" from Red Bull and a key part of their plan for the future. The Milton Keynes-based team confirmed on Thursday morning that their World Champion driver has signed a new deal to remain with the squad until the end of the 2028 season. It comes following a promise made by Verstappen back in Abu Dhabi when, after clinching the title crown, the Dutchman said that he hoped to spend the next "10 to 15 years" with Red Bull. The new deal means that Verstappen is now tied down to a longer contract than any other driver on the grid. At the age of just 24, he has already started 141 races and has won 20, standing on the podium 60 times. And at F1's current rate of events, Verstappen will end the 2028 season with close to 300 race starts and aged just 30. Only five drivers in history (Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button) have ever surpassed the 300-race mark.
Verstappen deal next part of Red Bull's plan
The plan for Red Bull is to remain at the top, cementing their place as one of the sport's greatest ever teams. They hope to do so by building a competitive engine package, via their new Red Bull Powertrains division, while continuing to lead the way in car design with the support of Adrian Newey. And it is important for the squad that they also keep the man they deem to be motorsport's best driver in their car for as long as possible, as team boss Horner has explained. "To have Max signed with Oracle Red Bull Racing through to the end of 2028 is a real statement of intent," said Horner. "Our immediate focus is on retaining Max's World Championship title, but this deal also shows he is a part of the team's long-term planning. "With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026, we wanted to make sure that we had the best driver on the grid secured for the car."
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