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Max Verstappen won four world championships in a row at Red Bull but the team’s form has been on a downward trajectory since the middle of 2024. Many of their top staff have left and they haven’t won a race so far this year.
So why did Verstappen decide now is the right time to renew his contract?
I think Verstappen seriously wanted to leave, but there was no place for him to go.
Mercedes would have been his number one choice, but Wolff probably saw too much risk in a Verstappen/Antonelli pairing. I am sure McLaren would have taken Verstappen for Piastri, but McLaren is too much of a sideways step for Verstappen. Taking on a challenge like Aston Martin has too much danger of sidelining his career and leaving him in an Alonso state.
So a contract extension with favorable exit clauses makes the most sense at the moment. See what openings are available in a year or two.
@Uzsjgb
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Verstappen ends speculation over future by committing to Red Bull until 2030
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