Max Verstappen extends contract with Red Bull to 2030 after he weighed leaving F1 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Max Verstappen announced Thursday that he is extending his contract with Red Bull to 2030 after he said he had seriously contemplated leaving F1. The timing, ahead of his home Dutch Grand Prix this weekend in Zandvoort, is intended to end speculation about a blockbuster move to another team or quitting the sport altogether. The article notes Verstappen’s frustration that the upcoming 2026 regulations place greater reliance on electrical power, and he recalled telling team principal Laurent Mekies not to discuss the future early this season. Verstappen also said talks with F1 and the FIA helped reassure him that improvements are coming with the current cars. If he stays through 2030, he would race 15 seasons with Red Bull.