Verstappen, on the eve of the home race, has signed a contract worth 115 million euros.

Max Verstappen has signed a new contract with Red Bull Racing worth an estimated €115 million per year, securing his place with the team through at least the 2030 season. The announcement comes ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, which will take place at the Circuit Zandvoort for the final time before the track’s removal from the Formula One calendar starting in 2025. The deal was announced just days before the start of the race weekend, effectively quelling rumors of Verstappen's potential departure from the team or a temporary break from competition. The new contract marks a historic milestone in Formula One, with Verstappen’s base salary reportedly reaching €92 million annually from 2027 onwards. This figure, combined with bonuses for wins and titles, estimated at an additional €23 million per year, brings his total annual earnings to an astonishing €115 million. Over the four-year span of the agreement, the total value of the contract reaches a staggering €460 million, making Verstappen one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. The terms of the deal have been widely discussed among insiders, though exact figures remain subject to verification. While Verstappen’s financial windfall has dominated headlines, another driver has emerged as a key beneficiary of this situation. Kimi Räikkönen, the reigning champion, has found himself in a favorable position following the attention surrounding Verstappen’s contract. With six victories in the first eleven races of the season, Räikkönen has extended his lead over Lewis Hamilton to around 50 points. At 35 years old, he is on course to become the oldest Formula One champion ever, and the shift in focus away from Verstappen has allowed him to avoid additional pressure on his young shoulders. Meanwhile, Hamilton, who holds seven world titles and is considered one of the greatest drivers of all time, continues to challenge for victory, maintaining his status as a top contender. The return of the Dutch Grand Prix to the Formula One calendar after a 35-year absence took place in 2021, and the circuit at Zandvoort has since hosted three editions of the race. However, the track will be removed from the schedule beginning in 2025, marking the end of an era. The last two races at Zandvoort were won by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris of McLaren, both of whom have shown strong form on the twisty, fast layout. This year, the race is once again expected to be competitive, with Norris likely to benefit from the track’s characteristics similar to those in Hungary, while Mercedes and Ferrari remain strong contenders. One of the defining features of the Zandvoort circuit is its extreme banking, particularly in corners such as Turn 1 (Tarzan), Turn 3 (Hugenholtz), and Turn 14 (Arie Luyendyk), which has a gradient of nearly 18 degrees. The track naturally ascends and descends through dunes, creating a “rollercoaster” effect with several blind crests. The proximity to the beach means that strong sea winds constantly blow sand onto the surface, altering grip levels throughout the session. Due to the narrow layout and tight, connected turns, overtaking at Zandvoort is extremely difficult, making qualifying one of the most crucial parts of the race. In addition to the main storylines, there have been changes in the lineup. Isack Hadjar has been ruled out of the race due to an injury sustained during practice, and Liam Lawson has temporarily replaced him in the Red Bull car. As a result, Lawson will miss the opportunity to compete for his sister’s team, Racing Bulls, and will instead be replaced by experienced Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda. This reshuffle adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming race, as teams adjust their strategies and drivers adapt to new circumstances.