Formula 1: Max Verstappen signs 4 or 5 year contract extension with Red Bull

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Dutch Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is expected to extend his contract with Red Bull Racing “for a period of four to five years”, according to information from a Dutch daily. from Telegraaf Wednesday.

According to the newspaper, Verstappen, 24, whose contract was due to expire at the end of 2023, will “remain with his current team for the long term” and become the highest-paid Formula 1 driver with an “estimated salary of 50 million euros per season”.

His rival Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), seven times world champion on contract until the end of 2023, is currently the highest paid driver. The eighth best athlete in the world in 2021, according to the magazine Forbesthe Briton will get 62 million dollars (54.8 million euros) just for his sports activities, including a fixed salary of 55 million (just under 50 million euros…).

In response to a question from the Dutch ANP agency, a Red Bull spokesperson did not want to deny or confirm this information.

“We do not comment on this post, but we can say with certainty that the conversations are at a very advanced stage. We hope to be able to communicate before the end of this week,” the spokesperson said.

The Dutch Belgian (who plays under a Dutch license but was born in Belgium) started his Formula One career at Torro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17 before being promoted to Red Bull in 2016.

Having already competed in the 141 Grands Prix, winning ten of his twenty successes in 2021, Verstappen won his first world title last year against Hamilton, 37.

“My team knows I love it and I hope we can be together for 10 to 15 years,” Verstappen told the media after winning the Abu Dhabi title last December.

“We will discuss the extension and possibly finalize it,” replied Helmut Marko, sports advisor in charge of driver policy at Red Bull Racing, according to the ANP.

The 2022 season begins on March 20 in Bahrain after three days of testing at Gulf Island (10-12 March).