The relationship between Verstappen and Red Bull remains a hot topic, involving a last-minute secret clause to keep him and several offers on the table for the reigning champion.
Max Verstappen stays with Red Bull, at least for now. A clause in the Dutch champion’s contract could definitively close any possibility of him leaving for 2026.
Yet, the atmosphere in Formula 1 still seems far from calm, with multiple proposals on the table for the current world champion.
Deadlines, clauses, and shadow games
Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, expiring in 2028, contains a special clause that could make him officially untouchable by the end of June. If, at the end of the F1 Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen is still among the top four in the drivers’ standings, the clause allowing him to leave the team will become void.
Currently third, with a 57-point lead over Charles Leclerc (fifth), the outlook for Red Bull seems reassuring, but no one in the paddock takes anything for granted.
The clause, previously also linked to the possible departure of Helmut Marko, was renegotiated during last season when internal team tensions seemed to have eased. However, although the winter flirtation with Aston Martin now appears closed, rumors of a possible move to Mercedes remain alive.
The delay in George Russell’s contract renewal raised several alarms, suggesting the driver market could still hold surprises.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has assured that Russell’s renewal is only a matter of time. But while the spotlight remains on Barcelona and Verstappen’s margin, the real game could be played behind the scenes, amid long-term plans and market strategies.
What is certain, at least until Sunday, is that anything can still happen. Max Verstappen is firmly with Red Bull, but in Formula 1 the word “final” always carries a provisional undertone.
Leave a Reply