F1 boss 'couldn't see F1 without' Max Verstappen following fresh Red Bull deal

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his relief at Max Verstappen committing to the championship with a new Red Bull deal ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. 

Verstappen was already under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, but his deal included a well-known exit clause that left him free to leave the team if certain performance markers were missed before the summer break. 

This clause was active ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, which increased speculation that he could be on the move, especially given his much-talked-about conversations with both Mercedes and Red Bull. 

However, there was also the chance that he could leave F1 altogether, something that he had repeatedly threatened while expressing his dislike of the current regulations and the yo-yo nature of the racing at certain tracks.

“The news of Max staying at Red Bull for the next [few] years is a cherry on the cake for this weekend,” Domenicali told Formula1.com.

“It’s great news, very proud and happy because Max is a World Champion, a world-class person that has a great personality in the sport, and I cannot see Formula 1 without him.”

Red Bull has endured a difficult season by its high standards, with the team failing to score a victory across the first 12 race weekends and with Verstappen 130 points back in the championship race, and all-but out of contention.

“Really very happy that this news now is official and all this talk that has been happening so far will be out of place,” he added. 

“And now I’m sure that the focus for the team is to be as good as possible to give Max the best car that they can.”

Following his extension, Verstappen had hoped to mark the final grand prix at Zandvoort in style, but lost control of his Red Bull on a damp patch at the final corner of lap one. This fired him into the barriers and destroyed his car, bringing a halt to his weekend without completing a single lap on Sunday.