Max Verstappen has signed a new long-term contract with Red Bull, ending weeks of speculation about his future in Formula 1. The deal keeps the Dutch driver with the team until the end of the 2030 season, according to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with multiple Norwegian outlets — including VG and Dagbladet — carrying the same report. TV 2 described the news as bringing an end to a flood of rumors that had surrounded Verstappen's plans.
The contract extension removes one of the biggest question marks in the F1 paddock. Verstappen had been linked with moves to other teams in recent months, but the new agreement confirms he will remain at Red Bull for the long term. The team has been his home since 2016, when he was promoted from the junior squad during the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen's current deal was not set to expire imminently, but the new agreement locks him in for several more years. The length of the contract — through 2030 — signals a strong commitment from both sides. Red Bull has won multiple constructors' and drivers' championships with Verstappen at the wheel, and the extension ensures continuity for the team's future development programs.
The timing of the announcement also matters. With the F1 calendar heading into the second half of the season, Red Bull can now focus fully on track performance rather than contract negotiations. Verstappen's status as the sport's dominant driver in recent years makes this deal a cornerstone for the team's long-term planning.
What to watch next: how the announcement affects Red Bull's driver lineup for 2027 and beyond, and whether any rival teams now shift their attention to other available drivers on the market.
