Verstappen Extends Red Bull contract to end of 2023
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce a contract extension with Max Verstappen to race with the Team until the end of the 2023 season.
Max became the youngest ever race winner in his inaugural season with the Team in 2016. The eight-time Grand Prix winner has since become an integral member of the Team and a driver whose determination to win truly embodies the Red Bull ethos.
Max Verstappen: “I am really happy to have extended my partnership with the Team. Red Bull believed in me and gave me the opportunity to start in Formula 1 which I have always been very grateful for. Over the years I have grown closer and closer with the Team and besides the passion from everyone and the on-track performance it is also really enjoyable to work with such a great group of people. Honda coming onboard and the progress we have made over the last 12 months gives me even more motivation and the belief that we can win together. I respect the way Red Bull and Honda work together and from all sides everyone is doing what they can to succeed. I want to win with Red Bull and our goal is of course to fight for a World Championship together.”
Commenting on the extension, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner said; “It is fantastic news for the Team to have extended our agreement with Max up-to and including the 2023 season. With the challenge of the 2021 regulation changes on the horizon continuity in as many areas as possible is key. Max has proven what an asset he is to the Team, he truly believes in the partnership we have forged with our engine supplier Honda, and we are delighted to have extended our relationship with him.”
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Didn't see that coming, I had him down for Mercedes from 2021, love to know if Mercedes actually approached him. Or, maybe Hamilton just extended his contract till 2023 and MV would've been an expensive luxury.
I await the autobiographicals in 2024.
I get to beat the drum just a bit. A couple of months ago when all of the 2021 driver rumours started I opined that the big surprises would be the lack of movement. VER, though fast, is too loose a cannon for Ferrari or MB, HAM's loyalty will keep him at MB and VET will either win races in 2020 or retire. The only drivers in play are the young guns. I remain committed to that guesstimate.
I hold a minority view that the drivers should be "free agents". Each driver would drive for each team about 1.xx-2 times a season (21:20). In each race drivers should have a "team-mate" picked by draw. That would equalize chances and show skills. For that very reason that will never be allowed.
Verstappen used to be on my "short list," and I still regard him as one of the best and sympathy with his predicament. Few drivers are subjected to as much abuse as he is.
His going to Mercedes never made any sense. Wolff and Mercedes have two big goals: equal Schumacher record in 2020, and beat it in 2021. Replacing Bottas with Verstappen would have guaranteed that not happening.
As for Ferrari, nothing can be added. Whether it was Max's youthful indiscretion, or Marko's and Horner's deliberate failure to advise him not to make rush statements, the point is moot.
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