Max Verstappen's decision to sign a contract extension with Red Bull until the end of 2030 shows his confidence in the team's long-term in-house power unit programme, according to former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok.
The four-time champion currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings, with Red Bull often fielding the fourth-fastest car this season. Despite the dip in performance and rumours of retirement or moves to Mercedes or McLaren, Verstappen has committed his long-term future to the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Chandhok admitted he was not shocked by the announcement but was surprised by the length of the deal.
"I am a little bit surprised at the length. I am not surprised he is committed to them," he told Sky Sports. "I thought it would be until the end of 2028. The fact he has gone for four shows he believes in the long-term feasibility of the project."
"This year, they have had probably the fourth-fastest car at a lot of races. He sits sixth in the drivers' championship. That is not where Max wants to be but clearly they have convinced him that the long-term potential is better than this year," Chandhok added.
He highlighted the recent momentum, with two podiums in the last two grands prix, and stressed that Verstappen wanted to see improvements, particularly on the power unit side, and the team's upward trajectory since the start of the season was likely what he was buying into.
The announcement came shortly after Williams confirmed contract extensions for Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, meaning more than half of the current F1 grid is now locked in for 2027.
"We always like a good story in F1, a bit of upset, and it looked at some point it was going to be a great 'silly season' and Max was going to be the instigator of that," Chandhok added. "Talks of him to McLaren, kicking Piastri out, then maybe talks of Mercedes with either Russell or Antonelli looking vulnerable there. It would have created a massive story, but it turns out it is not so much of a 'silly season' after all. Back to the drawing board."
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