New Max Verstappen contract: Lewis Hamilton’s record will fall in 2027

Max Verstappen remains loyal to Red Bull Racing: it was announced during the Zandvoort Grand Prix weekend that the Dutchman has extended his contract early by two years, taking it through to the end of 2030.

Max said: “I’ve always said – Red Bull is my family; I feel a strong connection to the Red Bull Racing team. I simply wanted to clarify what I want for the future, and to find out what the team’s strategic plans are. But my primary goal hasn’t changed. I told Didi Mateschitz back then – my aim is to end my career with Red Bull.”

Max has now competed in 221 World Championship races for Red Bull Racing; in terms of loyalty, he has long since left Michael Schumacher at Ferrari (180 races) behind, and in 2027 he will break Lewis Hamilton’s record with Mercedes (246 races).

Time and again in the premier class, we see drivers remaining loyal to their team for years on end. We’ve compiled a list for you of the 27 drivers who have contested 100 Grands Prix or more for the same F1 team.

Special mention must be made of one driver who does not appear amongst these 27: The Scot Jim Clark drove all 72 of his Formula 1 races for Lotus, winning an incredible 25 times, securing pole position 33 times and becoming World Champion in 1963 and 1965.

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Zandvoort: Sprint Qualifying

FIA Formula One World Championship

21.08.2026 - 16:15

• Formula 1 drivers with the most races under their belt

• 1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 246 Grands Prix

• 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 221

• 3. Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) 180

• 4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 162

• 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 161

• 6. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 151

• 7. David Coulthard (McLaren) 150

• 8. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 145

• 9. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 139

• 10. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 136

• 11. Jenson Button (McLaren) 136

• 12. Jacques Laffite (Ligier) 132

• 13. Mika Häkkinen (McLaren) 131

• 14. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) 129

• 15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 122

• 16. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 118

• 17. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 113

• 18. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 110

• 19. Alain Prost (McLaren) 107

• 20. Nelson Piquet (Brabham) 106

• 21. Fernando Alonso (Renault) 105

• 22. George Russell (Mercedes) 104

• 23. Pierluigi Martini (Minardi) 102

• 24. Rubens Barrichello (Ferrari) 102

• 25. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 101

• 26. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) 100

• 27. Alex Albon (Williams) 100