Verstappen confirms McLaren talks before Red Bull contract extension – Max Verstappen has confirmed that he held discussions with McLaren before deciding to extend his Red Bull contract until 2030, but says he ultimately felt staying with his current team was the right decision.
Around the time of the Dutch Grand Prix, Red Bull announced that Verstappen, who was already contracted to the team until the end of 2028, had signed a new deal keeping him with the team through 2030.
Before committing his long-term future to Red Bull, reports including those from F1Planet claimed the four-time Formula 1 world champion had held concrete talks with McLaren.
In an interview with the BBC, Verstappen was asked how serious those discussions with the British team had been. The Dutchman confirmed that negotiations had taken place.
“Of course, you take every kind of discussion seriously. They are all very respectful discussions. There’s nothing wrong with that,” the 28-year-old said.
Verstappen confirms talks with McLaren
Verstappen’s comments provide a clear indication that the speculation surrounding a potential move to McLaren was more than simply paddock gossip.
However, the Red Bull driver stopped short of suggesting that he was close to leaving the team. Instead, he explained that discussions with other teams are a normal part of assessing his future.
The decision ultimately came down to where Verstappen believed he could achieve his ambitions, with the Dutchman concluding that remaining with Red Bull was the best option.
He explained that he subsequently came to the conclusion “that staying was the right decision for me.”
“You have to follow your heart. I could have left very early in my Red Bull career and tried to win somewhere else. If you have a little patience, you’ll win in the end. I feel that this is my approach now as well.”
Why Verstappen chose Red Bull
Verstappen’s decision also reflects the depth of his relationship with Red Bull, where he has spent his entire senior Formula 1 career.
The Dutchman described his employer as “like a second family” and pointed to the team’s plans for the future as another reason for committing beyond his existing contract.
“The belief that we can turn things around and work together with other, new people towards a hopefully better future. And ultimately, it’s not just about Formula 1 for me. There are many things I’ll be doing next year that Red Bull is also involved in.”
The comments suggest Verstappen remains convinced that Red Bull can return to the front of the grid despite the team’s recent challenges.
His decision is particularly significant given the major technical changes introduced for the 2026 season and the emergence of McLaren as a leading force.
Verstappen: Red Bull is “the right place”
For Verstappen, therefore, the possibility of joining another leading team ultimately did not outweigh his belief in Red Bull’s long-term project.
The four-time world champion made his position clear when explaining his decision to remain with the team.
For him, Red Bull was “the right place.”
The confirmation that discussions with McLaren took place nevertheless adds an important layer to Verstappen’s new contract. Had the Dutchman chosen differently, one of Formula 1’s biggest driver moves in recent years could have taken place.
Instead, Verstappen has committed his future to Red Bull until 2030 and will continue working with the team he regards as his “second family.”
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