Over the past few weeks, Max Verstappen has dominated Formula 1 headlines—not because of his performances on track, but because of growing uncertainty surrounding his future. Despite being under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season, the competitiveness of the RB22 has prompted speculation that the reigning world champion could be considering alternative options.
With rumours continuing to circulate throughout the paddock, Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has now stepped in to clarify the situation and address the recent speculation.
Verstappen’s concerns over the RB22
According to the FIA’s current assessments, Red Bull continues to have the strongest power unit on the Formula 1 grid. However, the rest of the RB22 package has failed to meet Max Verstappen’s expectations throughout much of the 2026 season.
That lack of competitiveness has inevitably led the Dutch driver to evaluate his future with the Milton Keynes-based team. Verstappen’s contract reportedly includes a performance-related exit clause that would allow him to leave under specific circumstances, fuelling rumours of a possible transfer. Among the teams most frequently linked with the four-time world champion, McLaren has emerged as the leading candidate.
Recent events have only intensified those rumours. A rear wing failure resulted in two major incidents—one during qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix and another during the race at Silverstone. Following those setbacks, Verstappen openly expressed his frustration, saying that he no longer felt his concerns were being heard by the team.
Speculation increased even further after a photograph circulated on social media showing Jos Verstappen alongside Helmut Marko and Raymond Vermeulen, leading many to believe discussions about the driver’s future were taking place behind the scenes.
Raymond Vermeulen responds to the rumours
Vermeulen has now moved to set the record straight.
He explained that the meeting involving Verstappen and Helmut Marko had been a private gathering that had been scheduled well in advance. He also revealed that Max Verstappen’s sister had recently got married, providing additional context for why the group had come together.
Addressing the rumours surrounding Verstappen’s future, Vermeulen was unequivocal: “There has been a lot written about it. But the truth is that Max Verstappen wants to finish his journey with Red Bull. He has a contract until 2028 and he would like to honour it.”
He also commented on the much-discussed performance clause included in Verstappen’s contract.
“The fact that this clause exists doesn’t mean we are going to activate it. We could have activated it in previous years, and we didn’t.”
Contacts with other teams and confidence in Red Bull
It is understood that Verstappen has explored possible opportunities with both Mercedes and McLaren during recent months.
In Mercedes’ case, however, that possibility now appears to have faded. Team principal Toto Wolff is believed to be fully satisfied with his current driver line-up of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, effectively closing the door on any immediate move for Verstappen.
McLaren remains a more intriguing possibility. Although the Woking-based team already has both of its drivers under contract, Verstappen’s availability would inevitably attract interest and could influence the team’s long-term planning, particularly following the arrival of Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, at the papaya outfit. Despite the tension that has surrounded Red Bull in recent weeks, Vermeulen insisted he still has complete confidence in the team’s ability to turn its season around.
He stressed that, if the current situation remains unchanged, Verstappen is expected to continue racing in Red Bull colours for at least the next two seasons.
Vermeulen also expressed optimism about Verstappen’s chances of returning to winning ways before the end of the year.
“Probably not at Spa, but the chances increase in Budapest and Zandvoort.”
Speculation continues despite Verstappen’s commitment
While rumours surrounding Max Verstappen’s future are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, Vermeulen’s comments significantly reduce the likelihood of an imminent departure from Red Bull.
Although the performance clause remains part of the Dutch driver’s contract, his manager made it clear that its existence should not automatically be interpreted as an intention to activate it.
For now, Verstappen’s priority appears to remain exactly where it has been since he joined the Milton Keynes team: helping Red Bull return to winning form while honouring the contract that currently runs until the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season—unless circumstances change dramatically in the months ahead.
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