Max Verstappen has signed a new contract at Red Bull until the end of 2030, ending speculation concerning his long-term future.
The four-time world champion had been linked with potential moves to Mercedes or McLaren, while the prospect of retirement was also mentioned due to Verstappen's dissatisfaction with the new generation of Formula 1 cars.
Verstappen was contracted to Red Bull until 2028, and his previous deal included performance-related clauses which would have enabled the Dutchman to leave the Austrian drinks conglomerate at the end of the current season. Although Verstappen is now tied down until 2030, those contractual intricacies remain in place.
Verstappen is currently sixth in the Drivers' Championship and is yet to take the chequered flag this campaign, but the 28-year-old insists that his heart remains with Red Bull.
"We have the best people and I'm excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again," said Verstappen.
"This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue.
"I have always said it: the team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home.
"I came to the team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships.
"To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do."
Verstappen has been vocal of his criticism of Red Bull's performance at the start of a new era for regulations, and he's also been scatching in his assessment of F1's new electrified hybrid engines.
His long-term ally, race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, announced earlier this year that he will be joining McLaren and it was rumoured Verstappen was keen to follow the British-Italian in making the switch from Milton Keynes to Woking.
Verstappen's new contract is a huge show of faith in Laurent Mekies, whose leadership skills have been challenged since assuming the role as Red Bull team boss following Christian Horner's departure last summer.
"Getting to work with Laurent now for over a year has also been great, I see a clear vision he has for the team," Verstappen added.
"Everyone [at Red Bull's base] in Milton Keynes believes in what we are building and I am looking forward to the next chapter, fighting for more victories and competing for championships as we continue to shape the future of this team."
Confirmation of Verstappen's contract extension coincides with this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, which will be his final home race before Zandvoort is removed from the calendar.
The 2024 world champion is priced at 9/1 to secure his first race victory of the season on Sunday.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
