Max Verstappen signs monster $70m-a-year deal to slam Mercedes door shut

Max Verstappen has reportedly signed one of F1’s richest ever deals to emphatically answer a rumour doing the rounds in the paddock.

Max Verstappen has moved to the F1 penthouse. Photo: Getty Images

Red Bull have reportedly rewarded Dutch superstar Max Verstappen for his maiden F1 title with a monster contract upgrade.

Controversial as it was, Verstappen’s 2021 victory has reshaped the F1 world order and his new deal has brought the 24-year-old in line with seven-time Mercedes champion Lewis Hamilton.

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Reported to be between $AUD67-74m by several publications for either four or five years, the exact details of the contract are uncertain. However, he’s looking at upwards of $280m at least.

But the deal shows just how valuable Verstappen is to both F1 and Red Bull as he moves towards parity with Hamilton with the most lucrative contract in the sport.

Red Bull and Verstappen reportedly agreed to details last week but Red Bull have yet to confirm the news.

After his 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win, Verstappen said: “There is no reason to change (teams), ever. I want to stay with them (Red Bull) for the rest of my life and hope they let me.”

The feeling appears mutual as earlier in the year, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said he wanted Verstappen to stay with the energy drink outfit for years to come.

“After all, for me, relationships are not just about the contract,” Horner said. “Neither does Max. When he joined our team (in 2016), he was a boy.

“Now he’s a man. He grew up with our team. The relationship we share, the trust, that’s worth more than any piece of paper.”

The trophy also helps. Photo by KAMRAN JEBREILI / POOL / AFP

Horner also said Verstappen’s change of number from 33 to one — which is only available to the defending champion — had inspired the garage.

“I mean, sticking that number one on the car after all the pain that we went through last year, the fight that it was in 2021, and now the fight is to make sure we retain it on the car … it’s just energised everyone in the team,” he said.

“You can see a spring in everybody’s step and it gives people confidence as well, which is such an important thing in any sport – which is to not have arrogance, but confidence – and I think that runs through the organisation.”

Verstappen had long been linked to an approach from Mercedes but it’s believed the controversy at the British Grand Prix when Hamilton sent the Dutchman into the wall at 290km/h on the opening lap.

He crashed into the wall with the equivalent force of 51G and needed to go to the hospital for checks.

Verstappen ignited the situation further on Instagram after the race.

“First of all: I am glad I’m OK. It was quite an impact at 51G but feeling better,” he said.

“Obviously very disappointed with being taken out like this. The penalty given does not help us in any way and doesn’t do justice to the dangerous move Lewis made on track.

“Watching the celebrations after the race while still in hospital is disrespectful and unsportsmanlike behaviour but we move on.”

The British GP clash reportedly closed the door on a deal. Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images

That moment reportedly closed the door on any chance of Mercedes landing Verstappen’s contract, as his father Jos made their position clear in December.

“Here at Red Bull Racing we are in a good place,” Jos said.

“There have been conversations with (Mercedes boss) Toto Wolff and I also thought we had a good relationship with him, but the real Toto has shown himself lately.

“There is no relationship anymore.”

Asked if Wolff was a ‘bad loser’, Jos replied: “You could say that, yes.

“Mercedes was, of course, leading for years. Now they are cornered for the first time and you see another Toto. It’s a shame, but that’s how you get to know people.”