Max Verstappen has signed a two-year contract extension with his team, Red Bull Racing, keeping him with the team through the end of 2030. The deal includes performance-based clauses that could allow him to explore other opportunities if the team fails to become more competitive. Verstappen said the decision was driven by his comfort within the team, which he describes as a "second family," and his belief that the team has the potential to improve. He also mentioned that he didn’t spend much time considering other options, as his focus has been on projects outside of Formula 1. Verstappen admitted that the current Red Bull car is not meeting his expectations, noting that it lacks overall performance and struggles with balance when navigating corners. He acknowledged that changes are needed for the 2025 season but emphasized that those improvements won’t be made this year. He mentioned that new personnel have joined the team and that ongoing discussions are focused on how to enhance the car's performance. Although Verstappen had discussions with other teams, including Mercedes last year and McLaren this year, he felt staying with Red Bull was the best choice. He stated that he doesn’t feel the need to prove himself in a different car and is willing to work through the challenges with his current team to build a better future together. Outside of Formula 1, Verstappen has shown interest in endurance racing. He recently participated in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with his teammates and expressed a desire to return and win the event. He also mentioned his interest in competing in other endurance races, such as Hypercar and Le Mans, and potentially racing alongside Fernando Alonso if schedules align. Verstappen has been vocal about his criticisms of the new Formula 1 engine regulations, which he feels have made the cars less responsive to driver inputs and have diminished the driving experience. He suggested that the sport should return to V8 engines for better performance and drivability, criticizing the current hybrid engines for being overly complex and requiring careful management of battery recharging. Despite these criticisms, Verstappen still loves Formula 1 and hopes for improvements in the rules in the coming years. He acknowledged the emotional appeal of the older V8 and V10 engines, particularly the sound and vibration they produced.