Max Verstappen signed a new contract with Red Bull ahead of the last Dutch GP. After much speculation about a transfer to Mercedes or McLaren – and even some exit rumors – the Dutchman confirmed that he will stay with his trusted team for another four years. By the end of 2030, he will have raced for Red Bull for fifteen consecutive years: a long marriage, as he admits. However, he has included some important marital conditions in his contract.
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For example, Red Bull allowed the four-time world champion to make excursions to the Nürburgring over the past two years. He participated in various NLS races, in preparation for his first 24-hour race on the Nordschleife in May. In the future, he wants to further immerse himself in GT3 racing and participate in more 24-hour races. “Yes, that is definitely something I want to keep doing,” Verstappen confirmed on Thursday. “But of course, it depends a bit on the F1 calendar and what is possible next year.”
Marriage with Red Bull
Red Bull gave – and gives – him the freedom to compete in other racing classes, something other teams, often affiliated with certain car manufacturers, would most likely block. When asked which GT3 races he would like to participate in again, the Red Bull driver responded: “All the big endurance races. 24-hour races in general, those would, yes, be cool to drive in.”
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Verstappen was then reminded that by the end of 2030 he will have raced fifteen seasons for the Austrian racing team. A marriage, you could say. Verstappen extended the comparison. “I’m practicing for my own marriage,” he laughed. “I’m seeing how long I can still hold out in racing and then try to at least triple that in my marriage.”
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Read everything about the Dutch GP in Zandvoort here