Max Verstappen’s dominance over the 2023 and early 2024 Formula 1 season has reignited discussions about his future with Red Bull.
While a long-term contract keeps him with the team until 2028, murmurs of potential movement in the driver market have surfaced.
However, a closer look reveals several factors suggesting Verstappen is likely to stay put the end of 2024 season.
Red Bull has provided Verstappen with the car and support needed to flourish. Since joining the team in 2016, he has grown alongside them, culminating in back-to-back World Championships (2022 & 2023).
This symbiotic relationship is a powerful force. Why leave a team where you’re consistently a championship contender?
Verstappen’s loyalty to Red Bull is undeniable. He has repeatedly expressed his comfort and appreciation for the team environment.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has been a key figure in Verstappen’s career, and their strong bond is unlikely to be easily replicated elsewhere. Stability is crucial for a driver, and Verstappen seems to have found it at Red Bull.
Honda’s official departure from F1 at the end of 2021 was a significant concern. However, their continued collaboration on the power unit through Red Bull Powertrains ensures engine development remains familiar territory for Verstappen. This eliminates a major variable that could disrupt his rhythm.
Mercedes, the dominant force for the past eight years, seems a natural alternative. However, Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension with Ferrari in 2025 throws a wrench into that theory.
A potential rivalry with Hamilton might be enticing, but would Verstappen relish playing second fiddle in a team already built around another champion?
Red Bull’s resurgence as a top contender is another compelling reason for Verstappen to stay.
With Adrian Newey’s genius behind the car’s design and Honda’s (disguised) expertise under the hood, Red Bull seems poised for continued success. Why jump ship when the current vessel is conquering the seas?
Staying with Red Bull allows Verstappen to build a legacy with the team and potentially surpass Lewis Hamilton’s record-breaking seven World Championships.
