Max Verstappen’s future was resolved in emphatic circumstances last week when he signed a new record-breaking four-year deal with Red Bull.
The 28-year-old has been linked to joining the current frontrunners on the grid, Mercedes and McLaren, over recent months as Red Bull struggle to give the four-time world champion a consistent race-winning car.
Verstappen’s frustration over F1’s new regulations have also sparked concerns that the best driver on the grid could walk away from the sport for good. But all that talk was quashed when it was announced that he had penned the most expensive contract in F1 history with Red Bull until the end of 2030.
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Speaking to Betpack, six-time Grand Prix winner Riccardo Patrese suggested that Verstappen opted not to cause drama in the paddock by deciding not to push for a switch to Mercedes or McLaren.
He said: “He probably could have an option elsewhere if he had pushed it, even though other teams had said they had confirmed their drivers. It would have caused a fight.
“But if Max had said to Mercedes or McLaren that he wanted to come, they would find a place for him, whatever the cost, because no one can say no to Verstappen. But he knew it would cause a lot of aggravation, and in the end it was not something he wanted, it seems.”
Patrese added that while Verstappen feels at home and has a well-decorated relationship with Red Bull, he believes it was also the financial package that the energy drink conglomerate offered him to remain that proved to be the crucial factor.
He said: “Max has been at Red Bull for a long time and as he says it is like his home. He has shown that he can make a difference even with a car that is a little bit inferior. But I also think that money made a difference. I heard they have paid really a lot of money for him to stay for four more years. So, money was also an important factor.”
Patrese claimed that he has heard Verstappen’s new deal with Red Bull is worth £73.6million a year, equating to almost £300m by the time the deal expires at the end of 2030.
“Nobody knows precisely because, you know, nobody can read Max’s contract. But here in Italy they say USD$100m (£73.6m) a year,” he added. So, in four years he has USD$400m (£300m). This is a factor that probably Max considered and for sure made up his mind to sign the new contract with Red Bull.
“That is a lot of money, but we know that with Liberty Media now controlling the sport and being so successful, teams have a lot more money. They cannot spend it on the car because of budget caps, but they can on securing the best driver.”