Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, has detailed his decision to sign a contract extension with Red Bull, which theoretically runs until the end of 2030. In an interview with BBC Sport, Verstappen addressed his current team's performance issues and acknowledged past discussions with McLaren and Mercedes, emphasizing his commitment to rebuilding success with Red Bull.
Verstappen described the current season as not meeting his expectations, stating, "Of course it's not where I want to be, but as a team we're trying to just learn and understand a lot of things for next year." He identified a general lack of performance and inconsistent through-corner balance as fundamental issues with the car that require attention for the 2025 season. "The car is not where I want it to be feeling-wise, and the through-corner balance is too hit and miss between entry, mid and exit," he explained.
The driver acknowledged that these performance challenges have persisted across different regulations, prompting internal discussions within Red Bull about necessary changes. "Some people have left, new people have come in. With the new people, we are discussing what we can do about it. Is that just some changes, a different philosophy? All these kind of things," Verstappen said.
Despite these challenges, Verstappen cited a strong feeling of being within a "second family" at Red Bull and belief in the team's potential to improve as key factors in his contract decision. He also indicated that his involvement in other projects with Red Bull outside of Formula 1 influenced his choice. "I feel good here. So this, for me, is the right place to be," he stated.
Verstappen revealed that his contract includes performance clauses, allowing him the possibility to seek opportunities elsewhere if Red Bull struggles with competitiveness in the coming years. He also mentioned that his focus remained on the car's performance rather than actively pursuing other teams. "I always said to them: 'Don't stress about it, just work on the car.' Because the faster the car goes, the easier the decision is anyway," he commented.
He rejected the notion of needing to prove himself in a different car, comparing his approach to being a captain who stays with the ship. "It's easy to run to the fastest car and then do it all again. But it's not how I am," Verstappen said. "You cannot be the captain of the ship and as soon as there is something not working, you jump off the ship."
Reflecting on his career, Verstappen acknowledged conversations with Mercedes and McLaren but maintained that his heart led him to stay with Red Bull. "Any kind of chat you take seriously. They're all very respectful chats. There's nothing wrong with that," he noted. "I felt that staying was, for me, the right choice. You have to follow your heart."
Beyond Formula 1, Verstappen expressed enthusiasm for other motorsport disciplines, highlighting his experience at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. "It was super-cool to be able to do an endurance event with my team-mates, the guys that won with the car throughout the main season," he said. He expressed a desire to compete in other endurance races and potentially Hypercar racing in the future, provided it is on his terms and in a competitive environment.