Purple Bull Formulation 1 staff principal Laurent Mekies has shut down recommendations that Max Verstappen’s new pay packet is price $80million.
Forward of his house Dutch Grand Prix, Purple Bull introduced that Verstappen had signed a brand new contract extension to commit his future to the staff till at the least the tip of 2030.
The brand new deal ought to put an finish to rampant hypothesis surrounding Verstappen’s future after he was closely linked with a swap to McLaren and Mercedes in current occasions.
No official wage particulars regarding Verstappen’s new contract have been revealed, however it’s understood that the 28-year-old Dutchman has earned a pay rise.
Verstappen at Zandvoort
© XPB Pictures
Throughout the Zandvoort weekend, Nico Rosberg stated he has heard that Verstappen is now incomes “$80m a yr”. The 2016 world champion put this gossip to Mekies throughout an interview with Sky Sports activities F1.
“So, Laurent, I hear from Max’s camp additionally that one of many causes was as a result of they actually like the way in which you’ve gotten taken over the staff, , the tradition you’re placing in there and the way you’re driving this ahead. So, congrats on that,” Rosberg stated to Mekies.
“However, I’ve to ask additionally, what I hear is $80 million a yr. Is that true? Is that quantity shut? Like, that’s an enormous quantity.”
A smiling Mekies, who took over on the helm of Purple Bull following Christian Horner’s sacking in July final yr, replied: “So, each statements aren’t right.
“It’s down actually to the belief that Max has within the 2,000 individuals now we have in Milton Keynes, chassis aspect, PU aspect, and he is aware of what our persons are able to and he has chosen to place his belief in us for the long run.
Purple Bull staff principal Laurent Mekies
“So, we’ll attempt to pay him again for that. He’s rather more than simply the quickest driver on the planet for us, and we’ll strive to verify we give him a quick automobile as quickly as potential.”
It turned out to be a disappointing closing race within the Netherlands for Verstappen, who suffered a monster crash on the finish of the opening lap of Sunday’s grand prix.
On signing his new Purple Bull contract, Verstappen stated: “I at all times stated – and I stated this when Dietrich [Mateschitz, the late Red Bull co-owner] was nonetheless alive – my purpose and goal is to complete my profession on this staff. We’re getting near that.
“After all, there’s nonetheless a number of years forward, however that is nonetheless the goal.”
