Max Verstappen has Red Bull exit clause as F1 giants could lose star for free
Need to know
Max Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, but the four-time world champion is subject to long-standing interest from Toto Wolff’s Mercedes squad
Everything you need to know about Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract clauses and his future intentions with the team.
Contract status: Max Verstappen is officially under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but the deal includes complex exit clauses. These performance-based terms allow the four-time world champion to leave the team early if specific ranking targets are not met by certain deadlines in 2026 and 2027.
Performance deadlines: For the 2026 season, a critical clause states that Verstappen could unilaterally terminate his contract if he is not in at least second place in the standings by the end of July, according to a report by BILD. In 2027, the requirement becomes even stricter, potentially allowing him to walk away if he isn’t leading the championship by the summer break.
The influence of Helmut Marko: Veteran advisor Helmut Marko played a pivotal role in negotiating these flexible terms, which reportedly raised eyebrows within the Red Bull leadership. Marko has been a consistent supporter of Verstappen since he was 16, often acting as a key ally against internal team friction.
Red Bull confidence: CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has no significant concerns about Verstappen’s future, despite the exit clauses. Speaking to BILD in October about the Dutchman’s allegiances, he declared that the four-time world champion “knows what he has in us”, and that “he owes us just as much as we owe him”.
Verstappen’s future commitment: Despite the presence of these exit routes and interest from rival teams like Mercedes, Verstappen has recently reaffirmed his desire to stay in an interview with Blick. He noted that while he will miss his “friend and mentor” Marko, he currently intends to “fulfil that contract” through 2028 and find success in a harmonious environment.
