The starting grid for Sunday, 24 April’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the fourth round of the 2022 Formula One calendar. Photo: EPA/KAMRAN JEBREILI / POOL
Max Verstappen commits long-term future to Red Bull with MEGA deal
Max Verstappen has signed a new deal with Red Bull which is set to land him one of the biggest pay days in Formula One history.
The starting grid for Sunday, 24 April’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the fourth round of the 2022 Formula One calendar. Photo: EPA/KAMRAN JEBREILI / POOL
Max Verstappen has signed a new deal with Red Bull which is set to land him one of the biggest pay days in Formula One history.
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The PA news agency understands the world champion’s contract extension, which will be announced before the end of the week, is worth a staggering $53 million-a-season (R819 million).
The Dutchman’s salary hike will match bitter rival Lewis Hamilton’s $106 million two-year Mercedes deal which expires at the end of next year.
Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull until he’s 30
Verstappen, 24, has been rewarded for beating Hamilton to the world title last year and it’s expected his new contract will see him remain a Red Bull driver until close to his 30th birthday.
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Verstappen has always said he will remain with the Milton Keynes team if they delivered a machine capable of fighting for world titles.
Max Verstappen’s new contract will prevent Mercedes from targeting him as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton should the Briton retire at the end of his current deal in 2023 – as is widely expected.
Verstappen will begin his drivers’ championship defence later this month when the 2022 season starts in Bahrain on Sunday, 20 March.
