F1: Max Verstappen eyes title and says ‘best is yet to come’ after extending Red Bull contract

Max Verstappen has vowed that “the best is yet to come” after extending his contract with Red Bull Racing.

The 22-year-old has been recently linked with future moves to both Mercedes and Ferrari.

However, the new deal ends that speculation and means he will remain at Red Bull until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Now his future is sorted Verstappen is aiming to win the Formula 1 championship in the Honda-powered Red Bull.

He said: “I am really happy to have extended my partnership with the team. Red Bull believed in me and gave me the opportunity to start in Formula 1 which I have always been very grateful for.

“Over the years I have grown closer and closer with the team and besides the passion from everyone and the on-track performance it is also really enjoyable to work with such a great group of people.

“Honda coming onboard and the progress we have made over the last 12 months gives me even more motivation and the belief that we can win together. I respect the way Red Bull and Honda work together and from all sides everyone is doing what they can to succeed.

“I want to win with Red Bull and our goal is of course to fight for a world championship together.”

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Horner: fantastic news for the team

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said of the contract extension: “It is fantastic news for the team to have extended our agreement with Max up-to and including the 2023 season.

“With the challenge of the 2021 regulation changes on the horizon continuity in as many areas as possible is key.

“Max has proven what an asset he is to the team, he truly believes in the partnership we have forged with our engine supplier Honda, and we are delighted to have extended our relationship with him.”

Verstappen follows Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by announcing a new long-term deal. It was confirmed last month that Leclerc had signed a five-year contract with Ferrari until 2024.

Last season Verstappen finished third in the 2019 F1 drivers’ championship with 278 points. He won three grands prix last year - Austria, Germany and Brazil.

How Twitter reacted to Verstappen’s new deal

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––