Red Bull boss rejects Nico Rosberg’s claims about Max Verstappen’s huge salary – Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull contract has ended speculation over his future, but the exact value of the four-time Formula 1 world champion’s deal remains a mystery after team principal Laurent Mekies rejected salary information put to him by Nico Rosberg.
Verstappen has committed to Red Bull until the end of 2030, but Mekies refused to confirm reports that the Dutchman will earn around $80 million or more per season.
Verstappen’s new Red Bull deal raises salary questions
Verstappen’s decision to remain with Red Bull was announced shortly before the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, bringing months of speculation about a possible move to Mercedes or McLaren to an end.
The 28-year-old had previously been contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but performance-related clauses had fuelled uncertainty over whether he could leave the team.
Instead, Verstappen signed an extension through 2030, reaffirming his commitment to the team with which he has won four Drivers’ Championships and 71 Grands Prix.
The financial details of the agreement, however, have not been officially disclosed.
According to Bild, Verstappen is expected to receive around €70 million per year from the start of the 2027 season, representing an increase of approximately €10 million over his previous reported salary.
Formula 1 business expert Marc Limacher has put the figure considerably higher. He claimed on X that Verstappen will receive an annual salary of €92 million, with bonuses potentially taking his total earnings to €115 million per season.
Nico Rosberg challenges Laurent Mekies on Verstappen salary
The competing figures prompted Sky Sports pundit Nico Rosberg to ask Mekies directly about the financial speculation during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
“I’ve heard it’s $80 million a year. Is that correct? Is that figure roughly in the right range? That would be a huge sum,” the 2015 German Formula 1 world champion asked the Red Bull team principal.
Rosberg also suggested that Verstappen’s decision to remain with Red Bull had been influenced by the culture established under Mekies.
Furthermore, he said he had heard from Verstappen’s camp that “one of the reasons for the contract extension was that they really liked the way you took over the team – you know, the culture you’re establishing there and how you’re driving it forward,” the former Mercedes driver continued.
Mekies rejected both claims.
“Both statements are incorrect,” Mekies replied, without addressing the actual salary.
His response leaves the precise value of Verstappen’s new contract unclear. While several reports have suggested a substantial increase, Red Bull has not publicly confirmed a specific annual salary.
Mekies credits Red Bull employees for Verstappen’s decision
Rather than taking personal credit for the contract extension, Mekies stressed that Verstappen’s decision was based on his confidence in the wider Red Bull organisation.
He added that the extension was not his achievement, but that of the entire team: “It really comes down to the trust Max has in the 2,000 employees in Milton Keynes – both in chassis and powertrain development. He knows what our people are capable of and has chosen to place his trust in us for the future.”
That confidence is particularly significant given Red Bull’s difficult start to the 2026 season.
The team has fallen behind its leading rivals under Formula 1’s new technical regulations, while Verstappen has yet to win a race this season. Nevertheless, he has chosen to remain with Red Bull as the team develops its own power unit in partnership with Ford.
Verstappen is “much more than just the fastest driver in the world,” he added: “So we will try to repay that trust. We will try to make sure that we provide him with a fast car as soon as possible.”
The salary debate is likely to continue while the contract’s financial details remain private. For now, the only clear conclusion is that the figures circulating publicly should not be treated as confirmed — and Red Bull’s team principal has explicitly rejected the claims put to him by Rosberg.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
