Max Verstappen surprised the world when he rejected a sponsorship deal of 30 million dollars with Elon Musk, with the words: “Use your money for something better.”
Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 world champion and pride of the Netherlands, has turned the motor sport world upside down with his recent decision to reject a lucrative sponsorship deal of 30 million dollars with Elon Musk. The news broke today, May 30, 2025, around 4:30 pm local time (CET+7), when Verstappen surprised the world via a short but powerful explanation on X with the words: “Use your money for something better.” The deal, which was presented by Musk as a collaboration between Tesla and Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing team, would have placed the Tesla logo prominently on his racing suit during the upcoming Grand Prix seasons. This unexpected rejection has not only raised questions about Verstappen’s motives, but also about the future of commercial collaborations in Formula 1.
The proposed sponsorship deal came to light after rumors about a meeting between Verstappen and Musk during the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year. Musk, known for his ambitious projects such as SpaceX and Tesla, would have approached Verstappen with the idea of linking his brand to one of the most successful drivers in the world. With Verstappen’s impressive honors list-65 victories and four consecutive world titles (2021-2024)-saw Musk a chance to strengthen Tesla’s presence in motorsport. The $ 30 million would include a multi -year agreement, with extra bonuses for victories and podium places. Nevertheless, Verstappen chose to refuse the offer, a decision that has called both admiration and surprise.
Verstappen’s pronunciation, “use your money for something better,” suggests that he has fundamental objections to the cooperation. Although he has not given any specific reasons, fans and experts speculate that it can have to do with Musk’s controversial reputation, including his statements about labor politics at Tesla and his involvement in political campaigns in the US. On X wrote @f1fannl: “Respect for Max that he puts his values above money. This shows who he really is.” Others, such as @Tslalover21, reacted disappointed: “Turning 30 million dollars? That is insane, especially for a sponsor like Tesla.” The reactions show a divided sentiment, in which some Verstappen’s integrity prizes and others see the rejection as a missed opportunity.
Jos Verstappen, Max’s father and adviser, supported the decision in an interview with NOS Sport earlier today. “Max has always sailed his own course, and this suits him. He wants to collaborate with partners who fit his vision,” said Jos. This is in line with Verstappen’s earlier choices to be selective with sponsors, prefering companies with a Dutch connection, such as Jumbo, above international giants. The rejection of Musk’s offer can also be a signal that Verstappen wants to keep his independence in sport, especially now that his contract with Red Bull is running until 2028 and he still dominates with 7 wins in the first 10 races of 2025.
Musk responded briefly to X with: “Respect for your choice, max. Maybe I invest it in Mars.” This airy tone may masse a disappointment, since Tesla’s entry in Formula 1 would have been a strategic move to compete with traditional sponsors such as Oracle and Bybit, who already have deals of hundreds of millions with Red Bull. Verstappen’s decision can have consequences for future sponsorship offers in sports, where teams and drivers may look more critically at the ethics of their partners.
For now, Verstappen remains focused on the job, with his recent victory in Monaco as proof of his top form. His rejection of the 30 million dollars deal strengthens his image as a driver who racet not only for money, but also for principles. While the Formula 1 world speculates about what “something better” means for Verstappen-perhaps investments in sustainability or Dutch initiatives-he remains a name to keep an eye on, both on and next to the circuit. This move underlines its unique position in sport, where talent and personality go hand in hand.
