Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has responded to Max Verstappen’s tongue-in-cheek request of a 10-15 year contract extension after winning the 2021 world title. Verstappen picked up a maiden title after a season-long battle with Lewis Hamilton which was decided on the final lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Despite an agonising wait to be officially confirmed champion after various complaints and protests from Mercedes due to the nature of the finale, Verstappen was elated with his team, declaring that he would love to continue his journey with Red Bull “for 10 to 15 years.”
Verstappen’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season, which will now almost certainly be extended thanks to the championship win.
Yet, when asked in a joint interview with Verstappen about his lengthy contract request, the boss Marko told ServusTV: “His words have not reached his own management yet. We are discussing that at the moment.”
Verstappen added that he was “very happy where I am right now, and I do hope we can do this together for another 10 or 15 years”.
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“He is a charismatic team boss who, by the way – even before you [Verstappen] – was in the process of extending his contract until 2026.
“Within the whole team, or at least the top positions, we want to have stability for the transition years coming up, when the new engine regulations come in and when the new chassis regulations come in, so that we have a solid team for that.”
Verstappen was also asked about his main title rival Hamilton, who is also set to remain at Mercedes until 2023, with the potential of a seat free at the eight-time world champions.