Max Verstappen: New Contract, Contract Value, Shirt and How Tall Is He?

Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation about his Formula 1 future by signing a new contract with Red Bull Racing. The four-time world champion will remain with the team through the end of the 2030 F1 season, extending a partnership that began when he was promoted to Red Bull in 2016.

The announcement is particularly significant because Verstappen had previously been contracted through 2028, while performance-related clauses had fueled speculation about a possible move to Mercedes or McLaren. His new deal now gives Red Bull long-term certainty around its most successful driver.

Max Verstappen new contract

The Max Verstappen new contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2030.

Red Bull officially announced the extension on August 20, 2026, ahead of Verstappen’s home Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. The agreement adds two seasons to his previous commitment, which was due to expire at the end of 2028.

The decision also ends one of the biggest driver-market stories of the 2026 season. Verstappen had been linked with rival teams during a difficult campaign for Red Bull under Formula 1’s new technical regulations.

Despite the speculation, Verstappen chose to continue with the team where he has won all four of his world championships.

He has described Red Bull as a “second family”, highlighting the strong relationship he has developed with the organization.

Why did Verstappen stay at Red Bull?

Verstappen’s future became a major talking point during 2026 because Red Bull has struggled to match the pace of its rivals.

Before the new agreement, Formula 1 reported that Verstappen’s existing contract ran through 2028 but included performance-related exit clauses. That created uncertainty about whether he could leave before the original expiry date.

Mercedes and McLaren were among the teams connected with the Dutchman during the speculation.

However, Verstappen ultimately decided that his long-term relationship with Red Bull was more important. The driver has spent a decade with the team and won four consecutive championships from 2021 through 2024.

The new agreement therefore represents more than a simple contract extension. It is also a major vote of confidence in Red Bull’s plans for the coming years.

What is Max Verstappen’s contract value?

The exact financial value of the new 2030 contract has not been publicly disclosed by Red Bull or Verstappen.

Therefore, claims about the total value of the new agreement should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed figures.

For context, Forbes estimated that Verstappen earned $65 million in salary plus $11 million in bonuses in 2025, giving him estimated on-track compensation of $76 million.

Other salary estimates similarly place his Red Bull base salary at around $65 million per year.

That makes Verstappen one of the highest-paid drivers in Formula 1. However, it would be inaccurate to simply multiply his previous salary by the number of years in the new agreement and call that the official contract value.

In short: the official total value of Verstappen’s new deal through 2030 has not been revealed.

How much does Max Verstappen earn?

Before the latest extension, widely reported estimates put Verstappen’s annual Red Bull salary at about $65 million, before bonuses and other earnings.

Forbes’ 2025 estimate placed his total F1 on-track earnings at approximately $76 million, including $11 million in bonuses.

His actual compensation under the new 2030 agreement could be different. Until Red Bull or a reliable financial source publishes the terms, the precise annual salary should be considered unconfirmed.

What shirt does Max Verstappen wear?

If you mean his F1 driver number, Max Verstappen currently races with car number 3.

Verstappen switched to number 3 for the 2026 season after Lando Norris became world champion in 2025 and chose to use the number 1.

Before that change, Verstappen was strongly associated with number 33. He used 33 from his F1 debut until he became world champion and switched to number 1.

Verstappen explained that number 3 has always been a favorite of his. He chose it instead of returning to 33 for the 2026 season.

His official profile also lists his current race number as 3.

Max Verstappen F1 number history

• 2015–2021: No. 33
• 2022–2025: No. 1
• 2026 onward: No. 3

The number 3 is therefore the number fans will see on Verstappen’s Red Bull car during the current season.

How tall is Max Verstappen?

Max Verstappen is 181 cm tall, which is approximately 5 feet 11 inches.

His official profile lists his height as 181 cm. Honda’s official driver information has also recorded him at 181 cm.

His height is relatively tall for an F1 driver, although drivers on the modern grid vary considerably in height.

Max Verstappen age

Max Verstappen was born on September 30, 1997, in Hasselt, Belgium.

As of August 2026, he is 28 years old.

He entered Formula 1 as a teenager and made his debut with Toro Rosso in 2015. He was only 17 at the time, making him one of the youngest drivers ever to compete in F1.

Max Verstappen Red Bull career

Verstappen joined Red Bull during the 2016 season after starting his F1 career with Toro Rosso.

The move immediately produced results. He won his first race for Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2016, becoming the youngest driver to win an F1 race at that time.

His biggest success came between 2021 and 2024, when he won four consecutive Drivers’ Championships.

That period established Verstappen as one of the defining drivers of the modern F1 era.

His long-term association with Red Bull has also made the new 2030 contract particularly important. If he completes the agreement, he will have spent most of his Formula 1 career with the same organization.

What the new contract means for F1

Verstappen’s decision has significant consequences for the wider F1 driver market.

His potential availability had been one of the biggest uncertainties surrounding future team line-ups. With Verstappen now committed to Red Bull through 2030, rival teams have less opportunity to make him the centerpiece of their future projects.

It also gives Red Bull a clear leader for the next phase of its Formula 1 project.

The team is working through a challenging period following the introduction of the 2026 regulations. Red Bull is also operating with its own power-unit project in partnership with Ford.

Keeping a four-time world champion provides the team with stability while it attempts to return to the front of the grid.

Max Verstappen quick facts

The height and race-number information is supported by Verstappen’s official profile, while the new contract and its 2030 end date were confirmed by Formula 1 and Reuters.

FAQs

Is Max Verstappen staying with Red Bull?

Yes. Verstappen has signed a new agreement that keeps him with Red Bull through the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season.

When does Max Verstappen’s new contract end?

His new Red Bull contract runs through the end of 2030.

How much is Max Verstappen’s new contract worth?

Red Bull has not publicly announced the total financial value of the new contract. Previous estimates put his annual salary at around $65 million, with bonuses potentially increasing his total compensation.

What number does Max Verstappen use?

Verstappen currently races with number 3. He moved from number 1 to number 3 for the 2026 season.

How tall is Max Verstappen?

Max Verstappen is 181 cm tall, or approximately 5 feet 11 inches.

How many F1 world championships has Verstappen won?

He has won four F1 Drivers’ Championships, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Conclusion

The Max Verstappen new contract has finally settled one of Formula 1’s biggest questions. The Dutchman will remain with Red Bull until the end of 2030, ending speculation about a potential move to Mercedes, McLaren or another rival.

While the exact value of the new deal has not been made public, Verstappen remains one of F1’s highest-paid drivers. He currently races with No. 3 and stands 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) tall.

Most importantly, his decision gives Red Bull a long-term commitment from the four-time world champion as the team works to regain its position at the front of Formula 1.