The Formula 1 world woke up to a startling rumor: Max Verstappen could renew his contract with Red Bull with a base salary of 92 million euros per year starting from the 2027 season. The news broke early on August 21, 2026, via the Twitter account FormulaRacer, citing journalist Marc Limacher.
According to the post, the Dutch driver—already a multiple world champion—could earn more than 100 million euros annually if performance-based bonuses are included. The news quickly sparked heated debates among fans and the racing community.
A record-breaking deal at a crucial time
This potential agreement would arrive just as Formula 1 prepares for a major technical overhaul in 2027, with completely redesigned power units. In such a scenario, keeping a driver of Verstappen's caliber would be crucial for Red Bull to maintain its dominance in the sport's highest category.
If confirmed, Verstappen would far exceed the base salaries of other top drivers. In recent public contracts, stars like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc earned between 40 and 60 million euros per year, though many deals include image rights and performance bonuses.
What we know so far
- Base salary: 92 million euros annually (starting 2027)
- Maximum with bonuses: over 100 million euros per year
- Source: FormulaRacer (Twitter), citing Marc Limacher
- Official status: not confirmed by Red Bull or Verstappen
At the time of writing, neither Verstappen nor the Austrian team have issued an official statement. The figure must therefore be treated with caution as it comes from a media report with no independent verification.
This rumor emerges during the 2026 season, in which Verstappen remains a dominant force. His future always attracts enormous attention among fans, and a renewal of this magnitude would cement his place among the highest-paid athletes in the world.