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Max Verstappen has extended his current contract with Red Bull, which will see him remain with the team until at least the end of 2020. The 20-year-old's previous deal expired at the end of the 2018 season, with many speculating about a swap to Mercedes or Ferrari.
Verstappen joined Red Bull after four rounds of the 2016 season, gaining promotion from Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior team. Since arriving at the senior team, the Dutchman has secured two victories - at Spain of 2016 and this season at Malaysia.
Verstappen said: "Red Bull has always shown their faith and belief in me with actions; inviting me in to the young driver programme as a 16-year-old, then giving me my start in Formula One when I was just 17, and then the opportunity to race with Red Bull Racing where I had such a dream start with this team.
"They have always backed me and my ambition and I know we share that ambition," he continued. "Their support, from the guys and girls in the factory through to the crew in the garage, no matter what plays out on the race track, has always been 100percentt. We've also had some fun times! I'm very happy to commit further to Red Bull Racing and I'm looking forward to working together to enjoy more success in the years to come."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
973 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (12)
Login to replyKyalamiKid
Posts: 146
No brainer, he doesnt want to play 2nd fiddle to Ham or Vet. I just hope for him that Honda is really going to get it together otherwise he might have 2 very frustrating years after next year.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, he might aswell wait and see what RB cooks up until the new regulations. If they arent title winning until then, he could be out.
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
Indeed, and Aston Martin coming in then could be interesting.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Lets be honest here, Aston Martin's chances of becoming a PU supplier is slim at best. They dont even produce their own engines, and lack the funds, the know-how and the facilities to build F1 level power units, even with the simplified regulations. And to start considering a 2020 entry in 2017 is late as heck in F1, almost a no can do.
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
I m not ruling it out yet... I really hope the new regulations will bring in more manufacturers
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I am almost ruling out AM as anything but a rebadger of engines. I think a least one new manufacturer will enter in 2020 or the years after, preferably 2 or more, but its certainly not guaranteed. I just hope they will set the rules in stone soon so that potential manufacturers can do the final preparations in good time and enter as competitive suppliers directly.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
There are multiple companies that has shown interest in F1 and has the resources to make it. Toyota, Nissan, VW companies like Audi (and in extension Lamborghini), Bugatti and Porsche, and Ford could all be likely candidates. I dont know if Nissan are interested in F1, but they do have the facilities necessary, and Im not sure if Toyota is very interested in F1, but the VW brands currently seem to have a sort of internal battle regarding whom VW should give the bucks to. I lean towards Audi, Lambo or Porsche, but it could be any of them. And unless Red Bull grab Honda, Im pretty sure they will grab them, likely making a similar move as the one they are currently doing with Honda: let TR try them out, and if it works, switch the works status to the main team.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Interesting.. Would have been nice to see him move to Mercedes or Ferrari but I guess thats still possible
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
interesting to hear Dr Marko say that Max asked for the extension and Danny Ric saying he hasnt said no to RB yet. Media makes us believe that RB want to build team around Max
KyalamiKid
Posts: 146
Ric should actually sign on as well. No point in being no2 at Merc or Ferrari until 2021
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Must have been mega money also. He deserves a great team. Good luck to him. Interesting however that they haven't announced the money involved.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
They dont really tend to do that though, do they? Havent exactly announced the kind of money that convinced Alonso to sign another deal with McLaren.