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Verstappen extends with Red Bull to 2023
Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension with Red Bull good until the end of the 2023 season, locking in another of the key prospects who were out of contract at the end of this year.
Alongside Sebastian Vettel and the two Mercedes drivers, Verstappen’s previous deal was due to expire after the 2020 season and opened up the potential for major moves in the driver market. However, following Charles Leclerc’s new five-year deal with Ferrari announced last month, Verstappen has now committed to Red Bull for the next four seasons.
“I am really happy to have extended my partnership with the team,” Verstappen said. “Red Bull believed in me and gave me the opportunity to start in Formula 1 which I have always been very grateful for.
"Over the years I have grown closer and closer with the team," Verstappen continued, "and besides the passion from everyone and the on-track performance, it is also really enjoyable to work with such a great group of people. Honda coming onboard and the progress we have made over the last 12 months gives me even more motivation and the belief that we can win together.
“I respect the way Red Bull and Honda work together. From all sides, everyone is doing what they can to succeed. I want to win with Red Bull, and our goal is, of course, to fight for a World Championship together.”
Verstappen -- who has raced for Red Bull since 2016 -- had been linked with a potential move to Mercedes, but team principal Christian Horner says the new deal is a sign of the 22-year-old’s belief in the Red Bull project.
“It is fantastic news for the team to have extended our agreement with Max up-to and including the 2023 season,” Horner said. “With the challenge of the 2021 regulation changes on the horizon, continuity in as many areas as possible is key.
“Max has proven what an asset he is to the team; he truly believes in the partnership we have forged with our engine supplier Honda; and we are delighted to have extended our relationship with him.”
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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