Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract: new performance clauses revealed in Germany. Verstappen-Red Bull deal update: German media reports on new contract conditions.

New details about Verstappen’s contract

As the new Formula 1 season approaches, excitement is building. On January 15 and 16, Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB will officially unveil their 2026 F1 liveries. The event will take place in Detroit at the Ford headquarters before the teams head to Barcelona for the end-of-January pre-season tests. Meanwhile, reports from Germany have revealed new details regarding Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull.

Performance-based clauses

Throughout 2025, Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was often questioned due to a clause allowing him to terminate his contract early if he was not among the top three in the Drivers’ Championship by the summer break. Despite persistent market rumors, the Dutch driver repeatedly affirmed his desire to remain with Red Bull.

According to SPORT BILD, these exit clauses have not expired with the end of the season. They reportedly include two performance-based clauses applicable for upcoming seasons. Max Verstappen is contracted with Red Bull until 2028, but with certain exceptions.

Mid-season performance conditions

The German outlet reports that Verstappen could terminate his Red Bull contract if, by the end of July, he is not in second place in the Drivers’ Championship. These clauses would apply not only to 2026 but also to 2027. In the latter case, to trigger an early termination, the four-time world champion would not need to be leading the championship at the mid-season break.

The revelation of these specific performance benchmarks highlights the high-stakes nature of the Red Bull-Ford partnership heading into 2026. By shifting the requirement from a top-three finish to a top-two—and eventually the championship lead—Verstappen is ensuring he has a clear exit path if the new Milton Keynes power unit fails to deliver. As the team prepares to unveil its new look in Detroit, the pressure on the engineering department has never been higher; they aren’t just building a car to win races, they are building one to keep the world’s most sought-after driver in the garage.