Marko won’t confirm Verstappen’s contract ‘numbers’

Michelle Foster
Max Verstappen climbs into his Red Bull RB18 in testing. Barcelona February 2022

Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen climbs into his Red Bull RB18 in testing. Barcelona February 2022

Said to have signed the deal of the century with Red Bull, Helmut Marko says he won’t comment on the “numbers” involved in Max Verstappen’s extension.

Last week Red Bull announced that they had signed the reigning F1 World Champion to a new long-term contract.

The new deal will keep the Dutchman at Red Bull until the end of 2028, the longest-ever contract signed by a Formula 1 driver.

His basic salary is reportedly in the region of €40 while he’ll also receive bonus payments for any success he achieves.

Marko says he won’t confirm the numbers involved.

“I will not comment about numbers,” he told Auto Bild. “I can only say that both sides are and will be satisfied.

“The term of the contract shows how much we value Max. Normally, Red Bull doesn’t make deals that long.”

The Red Bull motorsport advisor believes Verstappen is the perfect driver – and personality – for Red Bull.

He added: “It’s no secret that character is a quality that is extremely important at Red Bull.”

Marko isn’t the only one happy with the new deal, Verstappen’s father Jos saying the 2021 World Champion “deserves” his bumper deal after his success.

“You’ve all seen the big implications Red Bull has made this winter, and Formula One itself is on the rise,” he said as per essentiallysports.com.

“I’m not saying it’s just because of Max, but he definitely plays a big role.

“Max deserves it too. He’s the best driver on the market right now.”

 

Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015 with Red Bull’s junior team before being promoted a year later to the senior squad four races into the season.

He won on his debut, P1 at the Spanish Grand Prix. He has since brought his tally up to 20 grands prix wins and 60 podiums.

He beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s World title with a last-lap-of-the-season pass at the Abu Dhabi finale.

 

PlanetF1 Verdict

 

Marko not talking Verstappen new contract numbers

Helmut Marko has said he will not comment on the numbers of Verstappen's new contract, but that he fully deserves it.