Max Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season. However, hidden within that agreement is reportedly a release clause that could allow the Dutchman to leave much sooner, potentially opening the door to a sensational move to McLaren.
At first glance, the idea of Verstappen leaving Red Bull to join McLaren might sound like another piece of Formula 1 paddock speculation. But according to several authoritative sources, including The Guardian, the possibility is far more than simple gossip.
While Verstappen’s current contract officially expires at the end of 2028, it reportedly contains a performance-related exit clause. As is often the case, it is the small print that can make the biggest difference. According to those reports, the clause would allow Verstappen to walk away before the summer break if he is not inside the top three of the Drivers’ Championship.
That decision would ultimately rest entirely with Verstappen. Following his retirement at Silverstone, the Dutch driver has dropped to seventh in the standings, while the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa is already expected to be a difficult weekend for Red Bull as the team continues to battle problems with the RB22.
New Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies attempted to ease tensions by publicly backing his driver.
“He’s right not to be happy. It’s extremely frustrating for a driver to be let down by the car through high-speed corners in two consecutive races. And it’s equally frustrating for us to see our drivers end up in the gravel.”
Verstappen himself was far more direct after the British Grand Prix.
“Talk to the team? To be honest, right now I don’t want anything to do with them.”
If those words do not point to a serious breakdown in the relationship, it is difficult to imagine what would. The atmosphere inside Red Bull appears increasingly fragile, with technical problems, disappointing results and growing frustration all combining to create an uncertain future.
Until only a few weeks ago, rumours linking Verstappen with other teams were largely dismissed as the usual background noise of the Formula 1 paddock. Mercedes was repeatedly mentioned, followed by Aston Martin, while McLaren was also occasionally linked with the four-time world champion. At the time, however, there still appeared to be enough room for Red Bull to repair the relationship.
Today, the situation feels very different.
Verstappen no longer appears convinced that he has a genuinely competitive package underneath him. The RB22 has failed to deliver the performance he expects, while confidence inside the team seems to have eroded significantly.
There are even reports suggesting that Red Bull attempted to neutralise the exit clause by removing it or buying it out with a substantial financial offer. According to those same reports, Verstappen’s management rejected the proposal outright.
That decision speaks volumes. It suggests that Verstappen is not simply looking for a bigger financial package. Instead, he wants competitive guarantees, and those guarantees no longer appear to be coming from Milton Keynes.
Why McLaren has become a realistic possibility
Even if Verstappen scores points at the Hungarian Grand Prix, a circuit that should theoretically suit the RB22 better, it appears increasingly unlikely that he will relaunch his title challenge this season.
If the reported contract clause is activated, Verstappen could free himself from Red Bull at the end of July and choose a completely new destination to continue his Formula 1 career.
The RB22 has proved to be a difficult, nervous and unpredictable car. Following his qualifying crash in Austria, Verstappen endured another frustrating weekend at Silverstone, where he once again ended up in the gravel after losing confidence in the car through the high-speed corners.
Meanwhile, the FIA is investigating the rotating rear wing concepts used by both Red Bull and Ferrari. The technical explanation is already relatively well understood. If the rear wing flap closes mechanically and airflow does not immediately reattach, the driver enters the corner expecting a certain level of downforce that simply is not there. At those speeds, even a brief loss of aerodynamic load can have dramatic consequences.
Even so, the wider issue goes beyond pure technical performance.
A question of trust
Ultimately, this has become a question of trust. Verstappen, now 28 years old, appears to have lost confidence in the very team that helped him win four consecutive Formula 1 world championships.
That uncertainty naturally opens the door to McLaren. The most sensational scenario currently being discussed would involve Verstappen joining the Woking-based team while Oscar Piastri moves in the opposite direction to Red Bull. For now, it remains nothing more than a transfer-market hypothesis, but it is no longer viewed as an unrealistic fantasy.
McLaren currently has both race seats occupied, and CEO Zak Brown has repeatedly insisted that there are no vacancies. However, everyone inside the Formula 1 paddock understands that contracts remain secure only until an extraordinary opportunity presents itself.
If Verstappen truly becomes available through his release clause, it would represent exactly that kind of opportunity.
Adding further fuel to the speculation, former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher recently shared his opinion on Sky Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast.
“I think Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull.”
Schumacher also pointed out that rumours tend to spread rapidly among Formula 1 drivers.
“I believe the rumours are gathering momentum.”
According to Schumacher, Verstappen’s Silverstone accident was only the visible part of a much bigger problem. The disagreements between driver and team had already become apparent before the weekend even began. Verstappen reportedly wanted to start the race from the pit lane after changes to the car, but Red Bull refused the request.
Schumacher concluded with another telling observation:
“I think Max has lost confidence in the team.”
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