Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future has taken another intriguing turn after fresh reports claimed Red Bull are prepared to offer the reigning world champion a lucrative new contract extension that could keep him with the team until the end of the 2029 season.
Speculation over Verstappen’s long-term future has intensified throughout the 2026 campaign despite the Dutch driver already being under contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2028 season. The uncertainty has been fueled by concerns over Formula 1’s incoming regulations, as well as the impending departure of his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, to McLaren.
With the championship entering its summer break, Verstappen has yet to publicly confirm where he intends to race beyond the current agreement, leaving the paddock buzzing with transfer speculation ahead of the 2027 season.
Although links to rival teams have circulated throughout the year, opportunities elsewhere appear increasingly limited. McLaren are expected to retain their current driver pairing, while Mercedes also look set to continue with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, recently reiterated that the four-time world champion remains committed to Red Bull.
According to German publication BILD, Red Bull have now responded by preparing a revised contract proposal that would extend Verstappen’s stay through the 2029 season. The reported offer would include a significant increase to his annual salary while removing the performance-related exit clauses that have featured in his current agreement.
The future of those exit clauses has been a major talking point throughout the 2025 and 2026 Formula 1 seasons. Reports had previously suggested Red Bull’s management were considering buying out the clauses to eliminate the possibility of an early departure, although BILD claims those discussions never formally took place.
Instead, the Milton Keynes-based team are reportedly pursuing a complete restructuring of Verstappen’s contract. Alongside a substantial pay rise from his current estimated base salary of around €65 million per year, Red Bull hope the new long-term deal will provide greater stability by eliminating the option for an early exit.
Under the terms of Verstappen’s existing contract, his performance-related exit clause is believed to have become active after he failed to occupy a top-two position in the drivers’ championship before the summer break. Sitting sixth in the standings, the Dutchman is reportedly eligible to trigger an early release from his contract between now and October.
Neither Verstappen nor Red Bull have publicly commented on the reported proposal, meaning speculation surrounding one of Formula 1’s biggest contract stories is likely to continue throughout the remainder of the season. Should the reported offer materialize, it would represent a major statement of intent from Red Bull as they seek to secure the services of their star driver well into Formula 1’s next regulatory era.
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