Leaked Max Verstappen photos reveal new multi-million dollar Red Bull deal

Leaked images of Max Verstappen wearing Adidas gear have surfaced, signaling that Red Bull Racing is on the verge of announcing a major clothing partnership with the German sportswear giant.

The photos, taken from what appears to be a behind-the-scenes photoshoot, show the four-time Formula 1 world champion in a shirt with the unmistakable three stripes on the shoulders and the Adidas logo on the chest.

The images strongly suggest that Adidas is set to replace Castore as Red Bull's official clothing supplier.

Red Bull has run with Castore since 2022, but the leaked shoot indicates that arrangement is coming to an end.

Reports of a prospective deal between Red Bull and Adidas first circulated earlier this year.

The reported value of that deal was 27 million euros, according to those earlier reports.

The timeline for the agreement was originally set for the 2027 season.

Verstappen, as Red Bull's lead driver, would front any switch in branding.

The Dutchman is the face of the team and the most recognizable figure in the current F1 paddock.

A deal with Red Bull would further increase Adidas' growing presence in Formula 1.

Adidas is already the official clothing partner of Mercedes and Audi.

This would make Adidas the supplier for three of the most prominent teams on the grid.

The leaked photos have not been officially confirmed by Red Bull or Adidas.

Neither party has issued a statement regarding the images or the potential partnership.

But the visual evidence is strong enough to fuel widespread speculation across the F1 media landscape.

RacingNews365, which first published the images, described them as coming from a behind-the-scenes photoshoot.

The outlet noted that the gear carries the unmistakable three stripes on the shoulders and the Adidas logo on the chest.

Castore, the current supplier, has been with Red Bull since the beginning of the 2022 season.

That partnership was initially seen as a major step for the British sportswear brand.

Castore also supplies other teams and athletes across multiple sports.

But the leaked photos suggest Red Bull is ready to move on to a bigger global name.

Adidas is one of the largest sportswear manufacturers in the world.

Its entry into F1 has been strategic and deliberate over the past few years.

The brand already outfits Mercedes and Audi, two of the sport's most visible teams.

Adding Red Bull would give Adidas coverage across the top of the grid.

Red Bull has won the constructors' championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Verstappen has won the drivers' championship in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The team operates out of Milton Keynes, England, and is owned by the Red Bull energy drink company.

Adidas is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

The 27 million euro figure reported earlier this year would make this one of the largest clothing deals in F1.

For context, Mercedes' deal with Adidas is also believed to be in the multi-million euro range.

Audi, which entered F1 as a full works team in 2026, also signed with Adidas.

Verstappen's personal brand is one of the strongest in global motorsport.

He has endorsement deals with multiple major brands outside of Red Bull's own sponsorship portfolio.

His image has been used to sell everything from watches to energy drinks to video games.

Adding an Adidas partnership to Red Bull's roster would further cement the team's commercial power.

The leaked photos have already generated significant discussion on social media and F1 forums.

Fans have reacted with a mix of excitement and curiosity about the timing.

Some have noted that the photos appear to be professionally shot, not casual snapshots.

This has led to speculation that the images were either intentionally leaked or prematurely published.

Either way, the cat appears to be out of the bag.

RacingNews365 invited readers to check out the leaked images on their site.

The outlet also promoted their podcast coverage of the Mexico City Grand Prix and the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix.

Topics on that podcast include Kimi Antonelli becoming world champion and the latest Ferrari drama.

Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, became F1's youngest-ever world champion at the Mexico Grand Prix.

He took the record from Sebastian Vettel at 20 years, two months, and seven days old.

Verstappen joked about Antonelli's achievement by saying the main difference between them is that Antonelli speaks Italian.

The comment was typical of Verstappen's dry humor.

But on a more serious note, Verstappen praised Antonelli's talent and the guidance he received from his father, Marco Antonelli.

Verstappen himself is 28 years old and has been in F1 since 2015.

He made his debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso at age 17.

He won his first race with Red Bull in 2016 at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Since then, he has become the dominant driver of the current era.

The leaked Adidas photos add another layer to Verstappen's already massive profile.

If the deal goes through, Verstappen will be wearing Adidas gear in all team-related activities.

This includes race weekends, promotional events, and media appearances.

The switch from Castore to Adidas would be a significant upgrade in brand recognition.

Castore is a relatively young company, founded in 2015.

Adidas has been a global sportswear leader for decades.

The partnership would likely include not just clothing but also footwear and accessories.

Red Bull fans can expect to see the three stripes on team merchandise as early as the 2027 season.

Or possibly sooner, if the leaked photos are any indication.

The exact timeline has not been confirmed by any official source.

RacingNews365 reported that the photos were leaked, implying they were not meant for public release.

This raises questions about whether an official announcement was planned for a later date.

It is possible that Red Bull and Adidas were waiting for the right moment to unveil the partnership.

That moment may now have been forced by the leak.

Companies in this situation often accelerate their announcement timeline.

Alternatively, they may choose to say nothing and let the speculation die down.

But given the clarity of the images, that seems unlikely.

The photos show Verstappen in full Adidas gear, with no Castore branding in sight.

This suggests that the photoshoot was conducted specifically for the new partnership.

It would be unusual to stage such a shoot without a signed agreement in place.

Therefore, the deal is likely already finalized or very close to being finalized.

The reported 27 million euro figure would cover an annual payment to Red Bull.

That sum would be paid by Adidas for the right to produce and sell team clothing.

It is a standard arrangement in F1, where teams license their branding to apparel partners.

The money goes directly to the team's operating budget.

For Red Bull, which already has a strong commercial operation, this would be a welcome addition.

The team has been expanding its brand portfolio in recent years.

Red Bull also has its own clothing line, but a partnership with Adidas would reach a much wider audience.

Adidas has distribution networks in virtually every country in the world.

This would put Red Bull merchandise in stores that currently do not carry it.

It would also put the Red Bull brand in front of consumers who may not follow F1 closely.

That kind of exposure is valuable for both the team and the energy drink company.

Verstappen's personal merchandise sales would also likely increase.

He is already one of the best-selling driver brands in F1.

An Adidas partnership would give his fans access to higher-quality, more widely available gear.

The leaked photos have not drawn any negative reactions from the F1 community so far.

Most responses have been positive or curious.

Some fans have expressed hope that the partnership leads to better-designed team apparel.

Castore's designs have occasionally been criticized for being plain or poorly fitted.

Adidas has a reputation for high-quality sportswear design and manufacturing.

The partnership would also align Red Bull with Adidas' broader marketing strategy in motorsport.

Adidas has been increasing its involvement in racing beyond F1.

The brand also supplies clothing to teams in other series, including Formula E and endurance racing.

This is part of a larger trend of sportswear companies entering motorsport.

Nike, Puma, and Adidas all have significant presence in F1 now.

Puma has been in F1 for decades, supplying Ferrari and other teams.

Nike recently signed a deal with McLaren.

Adidas now has Mercedes, Audi, and potentially Red Bull.

The competition among these brands is driving up the value of sponsorship deals.

Teams are benefiting from the increased interest.

For Red Bull, the switch to Adidas would be a natural progression.

The team has always positioned itself as a premium, performance-oriented brand.

Adidas shares that identity.

The leaked photos offer the first concrete evidence that the deal is real.

Until now, it was just a rumor reported by a few outlets.

Now, there are visual images that are hard to dismiss.

RacingNews365 has not disclosed the source of the leaked photos.

The outlet simply presented them as leaked images from a photoshoot.

It is unclear whether the leak came from inside Red Bull, Adidas, or a third party.

Such leaks are not uncommon in F1, where secrecy is often compromised by the sheer number of people involved.

A photoshoot involves photographers, stylists, brand representatives, and drivers.

Any one of them could have taken and shared the images.

Alternatively, the images could have been posted accidentally on a private server.

Whatever the source, the effect is the same: the public now knows what Red Bull and Adidas were planning.

The question is when the official announcement will come.

Given the magnitude of the deal, it is likely to be a major press event.

Red Bull typically announces partnerships with a launch event or a press release.

Adidas will likely want to maximize the marketing impact.

The leaked photos may force them to move faster than planned.

But they also generate free publicity, which is valuable in itself.

Every F1 news outlet is now covering the story.

Social media is buzzing with reactions and speculation.

This is exactly the kind of attention brands want.

For Verstappen, the deal is another milestone in his career.

He is already the highest-paid driver on the grid.

His salary from Red Bull is supplemented by personal endorsements.

An Adidas partnership adds another layer to his personal brand.

It also ties him more closely to the team's commercial success.

Verstappen has been with Red Bull since 2016 and has repeatedly stated his loyalty to the team.

He signed a contract extension through at least 2028.

That means he will be the face of the Adidas partnership for its early years.

His image will appear on merchandise sold worldwide.

This is a significant commercial asset for both Verstappen and Red Bull.

The leaked photos have also sparked discussion about Castore's future.

Castore has been a reliable partner for Red Bull since 2022.

The British brand has also supplied other sports teams, including football clubs and rugby teams.

But losing Red Bull would be a major blow to Castore's visibility in F1.

The company has not commented on the leaked photos or the potential switch.

It is possible that Castore's contract with Red Bull was set to expire anyway.

Three years is a typical length for such agreements.

If the contract was ending after the 2025 or 2026 season, the timing would make sense.

Red Bull would simply be moving to a new partner at the natural end of the old one.

This would be a business decision, not a reflection on Castore's performance.

But the leaked photos suggest the transition is happening now, not at the end of a contract.

This could mean that Red Bull is buying out the remaining term of the Castore deal.

Such buyouts are common when a team finds a more lucrative partner.

Adidas would likely cover the cost of the buyout as part of the new agreement.

This would make the switch financially neutral or positive for Red Bull.

All of these details remain unconfirmed until an official announcement is made.

But the leaked images provide enough evidence to report that a deal is imminent.

RacingNews365, the outlet that broke the story, has a track record of accurate F1 reporting.