❗️Max Verstappen was apparently closer to retiring from Formula 1 than leaving Red Bull and now he’s locked in with the team through the end of 2030. The new extension adds the 2029 and 2030 seasons to his previous deal, which had already been set to expire after 2028. That effectively shuts down months of speculation linking the four-time World Champion with potential moves to Mercedes and McLaren. The most surprising part is Verstappen admitting that walking away from F1 altogether felt more realistic to him than changing teams. A major factor was his frustration with the sport’s evolving technical direction, particularly the increased electrical component of the current power units. After positive discussions with the FIA, Formula 1 and Red Bull, Max says they are now working toward something he feels is better for the future of the sport. He has also described Red Bull as his “second family,” with the team continuing to support his interests outside F1, including endurance racing. The timing is significa