Max Verstappen has confirmed his intent to stay with Red Bull until 2028, even as this season has seen its fair share of challenges on and off the track.
In a recent interview before the Mexico Grand Prix, Verstappen emphasized his “long-term” commitment to Red Bull, highlighting his contract until 2028. He also acknowledged the impressive progress rival teams have made in catching up to Red Bull, who previously dominated the championship.
Despite not securing a Grand Prix win since June, the 27-year-old expressed quiet optimism about his chances of maintaining his lead over title contender Lando Norris of McLaren in the last five races, aiming to secure his fourth consecutive Formula One drivers’ title. Red Bull and Verstappen started the season strong, winning seven of the first 10 races, but they hit a rough patch soon after, with Verstappen’s only victory since Spain occurring in last Saturday’s sprint race in the United States.
Still, Verstappen believes the team, led by Christian Horner, has emerged stronger from this challenging period, managing to hold off McLaren’s meteoric rise in the constructors’ standings. The RB20, which Verstappen had described as a “monster” last month in Monza, seems to have overcome its issues, and Verstappen now leads Norris by 57 points ahead of Sunday’s race.
‘Challenging Races’
“We had a few tough races. I think we’ve figured out our problem, and now it’s just about getting the car balanced again and, of course, improving its speed overall,” Verstappen noted.
The pre-season had not gone as planned, with the team dealing with an off-track scandal involving Horner, which lingered over Red Bull’s preparations. Although Horner was cleared of allegations of inappropriate conduct, the controversy affected morale. Additionally, key personnel, including the engineering mastermind Adrian Newey, departed from the team, compounding the instability. Verstappen himself expressed frustration in Singapore after an FIA sanction for swearing, briefly sparking rumors about his future in Formula One.
When asked at the Mexican Grand Prix if he intended to fulfill his contract with Red Bull, Verstappen responded, “That’s definitely the intention. I signed a long-term deal with the team, and ideally, I’d like to see it through here.”
Verstappen dismissed any connection between the team’s off-track issues and the car’s mid-season performance slump. “It’s easy to blame it on that, but I don’t want to. Decisions about this year’s car were made well before those issues arose,” he explained.
‘Prefer Winning by 30 Seconds’
After a series of tough races, Red Bull seems to have found its footing. “We’re working as a team to come up with solutions, find more performance, and we’re making progress,” Verstappen said. “Last weekend showed promising results, and I hope we can build on that.”
With Norris and McLaren emerging as serious contenders, Formula One fans are witnessing a thrilling competition, which has proven more challenging for Verstappen than last year’s season. Reflecting on his recent battle with Norris for third place at the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen admitted, “It was good to fight, but winning by 30 seconds is also very nice!” He ultimately finished third in Texas, as Norris was penalized and placed fourth.
Verstappen remains cautious, acknowledging that securing his drivers’ title is no certainty. “A lot can still go wrong, but as a team, we have to stay focused, and I need to be at my best every weekend.”
Source: AFP.
