The world of Formula 1 is once again in turmoil after it emerged that Max Verstappen has received an $80 million contract offer from a first-team, second-team racing team, reported by a consortium of us and Saudi investors who have been looking to invest since 2026.
But what truly shattered this story was the loss of a personal and emotional short letter Verstappen wrote to his current team, Red Bull Racing. Originally intended for Team Christian Horner and Helmut Marko’s management, the letter was mysteriously shared by an anonymous source and spread like wildfire across social media and the international sports media within hours. In the letter, Verstappen writes, among other things: “Red Bull isn’t just a team for me, it’s my home. You believed in me when I was just 17, you gave me wings when everyone else doubted. No amount of money in the world can replace that.”
The short story revealed a rare vulnerable side of the three-time Dutch world champion. While the offer was recognized as “tempting” and “a sign of my value in this sport,” he confided that loyalty, trust, and identity are more important to him than the numbers on paper. According to reports, the adequate offer came from a team planning to launch online in 2026 with Mercedes technology and significant financial backing. They wanted not only a driver, but also “the sporting pole and the co-vision of the project.” The agreement would have made the driver the furthest in F1 history, even surpassing the amount Lewis Hamilton has ever received. Red Bull is making news with emotion. Christian Horner said during a briefing at the wellness center:
“Max has once again shown who he is – a true champion, not only on the track, but also as a person. His words have deeply affected us.” Fans around the world are divided. Some praise Verstappen for his loyalty and integrity, while others question the driver’s long-term strategy, especially now that Red Bull is under pressure due to internal tensions and the rise of teams like McLaren and Ferrari. Max Verstappen himself has not yet made an official statement, but his direction confirms that the brief is authentic and that “the decision is targeted – Max will stay at Red Bull at least until 2028, as previously agreed.” What is certain: this event not only marks a remarkable chapter in Verstappen’s career, but also suggests that in a world of multi-million dollar deals and mega-deals, principles can still have a place at the top.