F1 | Verstappen with Red Bull until 2028 at 40 million a year!

The confirmation of the contract renewal between Verstappen and Red Bull is not a news that can be classified as surprising. Last December, immediately after passing under the checkered flag of Abu Dhabi, one of his first thoughts as a world champion was precisely to remain in the team “forever”.

An agreement that both parties knew they had to confirm, given that neither of the two actually had reasons for different choices, but there were still two fronts on which the negotiation was prolonged.

The first is obviously that of the salary, set at 40 million per season, the second was the duration of the agreement, three years (starting from 2024) plus two options.

With the new contract Verstappen has brought Hamilton very close to the top of the highest paid ranking, even if in the case of Lewis it is difficult to estimate the overall amount of his agreement with Mercedes, considering that the German manufacturer in the new contract signed last year was also committed to financing the Mission44 foundation.

Overall, Hamilton’s total salary remains higher, but Verstappen has nonetheless confirmed his status also on the financial front, and this is the first time this has happened to a Red Bull driver.

In the past, Helmut Marko had always boasted that he paid his drivers much less than the competition, thanks to contracts signed even before their Formula 1 debut and subsequently full of clauses in favor of the team.

Verstappen, after a world title, managed to achieve what Vettel did not achieve after four titles, that is to say to get a compensation of absolute value. The figure obtained by Max will progressively rise, starting from 40 million plus bonuses to become 50 if at the end of 2026 the option is exercised for a further two seasons.

For the first time, Marko agreed to pay an important salary in order to guarantee the presence of his most beloved driver, a price paid not only to recognize Verstappen the added value that he guarantees to the team, but also to protect himself from any temptations. Mercedes that could have arrived in the aftermath of Hamilton’s retirement.

Helmut Marko, Christian Horner

Photo by: Erik Junius

It is very likely that the negotiation convinced Red Bull to accept an important engagement, however, obtaining a long-term contract in exchange, which in the event of a confirmed option will lead Verstappen to remain in the team until the end of the 2028 season, when Max will be 31 years old. .

Verstappen’s choice is also an act of trust in the Red Bull project. Until 2025 there will be no news on the motorsport front, but starting from the following season an important match will be launched, with the debut of the new generation of power units.

An appointment that Red Bull should show up with Porsche, a partnership that must have convinced Max of the technical potential.

Adrian Newey brilliant designer of Red Bull

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

The 2025 deadline will also see Adrian Newey celebrate his sixty-sixth birthday, but the brilliant British engineer is considered a staple in the team even in the long run.

A fixed point is obviously also Verstappen, and this marks an important step forward in favor of Red Bull compared to Mercedes in view of the coming seasons.

At the end of 2023 Toto Wolff will be in the awkward position of having to replace Hamilton, a problem he hopes not to have to ask himself by wishing he already has Lewis’ heir, George Russell, at home. If this is not the case, then it will not be easy for Wolff and Mercedes to find alternatives of this caliber on the market.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18

Photo by: Erik Junius