“Max Verstappen’s Winless Streak Costs Millions and Hurts Red Bull’s Championship Hopes”
Max Verstappen’s ongoing lack of victories is proving costly, with the driver reportedly losing $1 million for every Grand Prix he doesn’t win.
Last year, the Red Bull driver enjoyed substantial earnings not just from his salary but also from bonuses, racking up 19 victories in a record-breaking season.
In 2024, Verstappen’s bonus package has taken a hit. Although his base salary is reported to be $45 million, his bonuses have significantly decreased after only securing seven wins out of 18 races, with a seven-race winless streak.
According to former F1 driver turned pundit Ralf Schumacher, this is affecting Verstappen financially. “It’s believed he loses a million for every race he doesn’t win. That’s a lot of money lost, especially considering how successful he was last year,” Schumacher said in an interview with Sky Deutschland.
This streak is also impacting Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. Unlike last year, where Verstappen’s points alone were enough to secure the title, Red Bull now trails McLaren by 20 points in the standings.
Verstappen has a chance to break his winless streak at the Singapore Grand Prix, where he will start from P2 behind Lando Norris, who has yet to lead a first lap from pole position. Verstappen acknowledged their improved performance but noted that Red Bull’s balance issues, especially over bumps and kerbs, remain unresolved.