Red Bull Racing Offers Max Verstappen 2029 Extension to End Exit Speculation
Red Bull Racing has reportedly moved to secure Max Verstappen's future with a contract offer through 2029 following a hard-fought second-place finish in Hungary. The deal aims to remove a critical exit clause as the team navigates its most difficult season of the decade.
Securing the Anchor
Following a weekend of high tension at the Hungaroring, reports have surfaced that Red Bull Racing has officially offered Max Verstappen a contract extension that would keep the four-time champion with the squad until the end of 2029. The proposed deal is a strategic move by team leadership, including sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff, designed to remove a performance-based exit clause that could have seen Verstappen leave at the end of the current season. With the Dutchman currently sitting 6th in the Drivers' Championship and yet to secure a win in the 2026 campaign, the offer signals a massive vote of confidence in the team's ability to return to the front of the grid.
Hungarian Progress and Technical Woes
The news comes just 48 hours after the team secured their joint-best finish of the season at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen drove a masterful race to claim P2, splitting the dominant McLarens and showing glimpses of the pace that defined his championship years. While the result was seen as a step forward, teammate **Isack Hadjar**, who finished P6, was less optimistic about the current state of the **RB22** chassis. Hadjar highlighted significant issues with downshifts and general grip that have plagued the team throughout the summer. "Finding a sweet spot and having something driveable was not possible the whole weekend," Hadjar noted after the race. "Surprisingly, the downshift this weekend has been terrible. It’s a good step back for us as a team."
Restructuring the Bullpen
The contract offer to Verstappen is part of a broader shake-up at Milton Keynes. Within the last 24 hours, the team confirmed the appointment of Gwen Lagrue—the talent guru credited with discovering Kimi Antonelli—as the new Director of the Red Bull junior driver program. This follows the news that long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will depart for McLaren by 2028, with Tom Hart slated to step into the role for Verstappen starting in 2027. Despite the internal turnover and technical hurdles, the mood within the camp remains determined as they head into the summer break. "It's like a second family here," **Verstappen** said regarding his commitment to the team. "We have a lot of work to do to get back to the front, but we are taking the right steps."