How much is it worth that last round of Abu Dhabi 2021 the renewal of the contract of Max Verstappen con Red Bull, made official today. Five years beyond the existing agreement, expiring in 2023, which transform the relationship with the Dutchman into a sort of marriage. The figure: between 40 and 50 million per season for a total of about 200 million. A record, even considering Hamilton’s salary, on similar figures for two other World Championships. The real amounts established by these agreements are hidden among a thousand clauses, linked to the results, to the freedom to enter into contracts with personal sponsors, to options for the benefit of the driver or the team in the event of a marriage crisis. In any case, the news is indicative on several fronts.
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The first: Verstappen wanted to monetize the conquest of the title, trading his talent for trust in a team that he considers capable of taking him to the encore, to the trio, in short, to mark an entire era as happened for the Schumacher-Ferrari duo, for the one formed by Vettel and the same Red Bull, before the advent of the Hamilton-Mercedes duo. Names indelibly united to mark the history of F1, as happened for the first, legendary partnership, signed by Clark-Lotus in the 1960s.
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For similar reasons, Red Bull considered it appropriate to remove the Dutchman from the market (who in 2027 will be thirty years old), certain of being able to count on an exceptional interpreter for machines and above all engines of absolute value, capable of accepting the high sustainability challenge that will concern the power units from 2026. A challenge that Red Bull he plans to tackle in the company of Audi, under the banner of the Porsche brand.
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Side considerations: Any long-lasting bond is rewarding as long as the results come, otherwise it becomes a cage. The money at stake, while taking into account the income generated by a leading driver and team, makes an impression. Thinking about the uncertainties that also surround the Formula 1 universe and above all the need to reduce the teams’ budgets. Forced to spend less and less on technology (around 140 million) while over budget they pay out 50 million a year for a pilot. But even on contradictions, Formula 1 has been beating record after record for years.
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March 3, 2022 (change March 3, 2022 | 11:48)
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