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Max Verstsappen after his World Cup triumph in December
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has extended his contract with Red Bull by another five years until the end of 2028.
“I love this team and the last year has been amazing.
Our goal since we came together in 2016 has been to win the championship and we've done that, so now it's about keeping the number one on the car for the long term,” explained the 24-year-old Dutchman.
Verstappen's current contract expired at the end of 2023.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "Our immediate focus is to keep Max's world title, but this contract also shows that it is part of the team's long-term plan."
Red Bull has the signature cost a lot.
According to the Dutch daily newspaper De Telegraaf, the contract should guarantee the 24-year-old between 40 and 50 million euros a year.
It would almost double his previous salary.
13 years at Red Bull?
Verstappen had already expressed his desire to stay at Red Bull after the controversial 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
'There's no need to say goodbye.
I want to drive for this team for a long time," Verstappen said.
The Dutchman has been driving in Formula 1 since 2015. He has been in the Red Bull cockpit since 2016 and has won 20 races since then.
“Ever since we started working together, our goal has been to win the championship.
We did it," said Verstappen, who will defend his title in the upcoming 2022 season with the "1" on the car.
Verstappen wants to claim the starting number with symbolic character as often as possible.
There are enough opportunities for this.
Should he actually fulfill his contract, Verstappen would be at the wheel for 13 years for Red Bull.
Verstappen's biggest competitor, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, is entering his tenth season with Mercedes this year.
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