Verstappen's 2030 Red Bull deal surprises Chandhok with its length amid team's dip

Max Verstappen has committed his future to Red Bull until the end of 2030, signing a contract extension that former F1 driver and analyst Karun Chandhok describes as a clear statement of faith in the team’s long-term power unit programme. The announcement comes at a difficult moment for the Milton Keynes outfit, with Verstappen sitting sixth in the drivers’ championship and Red Bull frequently fielding only the fourth-fastest car this season.

Chandhok said the renewal itself did not catch him off guard, but the duration did. “I am a little bit surprised at the length. I am not surprised he is committed to them,” he told Sky Sports. “I thought it would be until the end of 2028. The fact he has gone for four shows he believes in the long-term feasibility of the project.”

The analyst pointed to Red Bull’s recent upturn in form as a likely factor in Verstappen’s thinking. “Just look at the last two grands prix — he has had two podiums. Straight away the team has momentum. That is what it was always going to take for Max to stay where he is. He wanted to see improvements.”

Chandhok also highlighted the significance of Red Bull’s push to develop its own power unit. “Making their own engine at Red Bull is incredible stuff when you think where they have come from. He wanted to see improvement on the power unit side of things, and if you look at the trajectory from where they started the season to where they are now, that is probably what he is buying into.”

Verstappen’s renewal was announced shortly after Williams confirmed contract extensions for both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, meaning more than half of the current F1 grid is now locked in for the 2027 season. The flurry of signings has effectively ended what many had anticipated would be a dramatic transfer window.

“We always like a good story in F1, a bit of upset, and it looked at some point it was going to be a great ‘silly season’ and Max was going to be the instigator of that,” Chandhok said. “Talks of him to McLaren, kicking Piastri out, then maybe talks of Mercedes with either Russell or Antonelli looking vulnerable there. It would have created a massive story, but it turns out it is not so much of a ‘silly season’ after all.”