Verstappen's new deal "really doesn't change anything"

At 22 years old, Verstappen has already won eight F1 races in his career, three of which came in 2019, his best year to date. His previous contract ran until the end of 2020, as many contracts do, with massive regulation changes setting in in 2021.

Because of those regulation changes, the majority of drivers do not want to be committed for next year just yet. Usually, new regulations see a new team rising to the top and the pack being re-shuffled in midfield. Drivers want to get a good feel for 2021 onwards and where each team will be before committing.

Verstappen's announcement therefore came as a bit of a surprise, with the Dutchman clearly trusting Red Bull and Honda to give him a title-contending car in years to come as he's signed until the end of 2023.

“It really doesn’t change anything,” Salo told Finnish news outlet C More when asked how Verstappen's new deal impacts where other star drivers will sign beyond 2021.

“It was quite expected that Max would stay there. Everything else is still open. Pretty much everyone else’s contract is ending."

Indeed, the drivers who are committed until 2021 or beyond are few. Besides Verstappen, just Charles Leclerc (2024), Esteban Ocon (2021) and Sergio Perez (2022) are signed on. The 16 other drivers could all theoretically jump ship after 2020.

“They need Max,” Salo continued on the topic of Red Bull and their quest to return to winning championships. “Red Bull has been able to guarantee Verstappen good money and a good car.

“I think the situation is satisfactory to Max. Now he can concentrate on the season.”

With Red Bull's engine partner Honda growing stronger by the race while still providing reliable engines, Verstappen is a legit title contender in 2020. Should he win the championship this year, he would become the youngest champion in F1 history.