Max Verstappen might seem locked into Red Bull until 2028, but behind the scenes, the three-time world champion holds more cards than it appears.
For a team that’s dominated recent seasons, Red Bull’s current form has sparked murmurs.
Two races into 2025, Verstappen is openly questioning the speed of the car and expressing dissatisfaction with internal decisions—most notably the short-lived return of Liam Lawson. It’s a far cry from the serene dominance of previous years.
And now, whispers about Verstappen’s contractual get-out clauses are growing louder.
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Helmut Marko Opens the Door
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko hasn’t denied the presence of exit options in Verstappen’s deal. In fact, he’s confirmed them. Speaking to German media, Marko admitted that performance-related clauses are baked into the contracts of top drivers—though he insists they’re not currently being triggered.
That calm tone hasn’t stopped speculation, particularly as Marko also acknowledged that these clauses could “become a topic” later in the season.
More Than Just a Bad Start
Verstappen’s loyalty has never seemed in doubt—until now. The Dutch driver has been with Red Bull since his sensational debut win in 2016. But with a car he believes is underdelivering and growing uncertainty over Red Bull’s future competitiveness, the timing couldn’t be worse.
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Especially with 2026 looming—a year that brings sweeping engine regulation changes and Red Bull’s first attempt at producing its own power unit. For a driver used to winning, unknowns like these could become dealbreakers.
The Summer Break Watch
Summer has become a pivotal period in F1’s contract chessboard. It was during last year’s break that Red Bull unexpectedly extended Sergio Perez’s stay. This year, all eyes are on whether Verstappen might explore his options—especially if the team can’t prove it’s still a title contender.
While Aston Martin and Mercedes are the names most often floated, nothing concrete has surfaced. Yet.
For now, Verstappen says he’s content. But in F1, contentment is only as deep as the next race result. If Red Bull slips even slightly further, his exit clauses might become more than theoretical—and the 2026 grid could look very different.
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