Red Bull: No Newey-related clause in Verstappen’s contract

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Amidst the ongoing saga surrounding Adrian Newey's departure from Red Bull, team boss Christian Horner has clarified that Max Verstappen's contract does not contain a clause allowing him to leave based solely on Newey's exit.

Earlier this week, Red Bull confirmed that Newey would be parting ways with the championship winning outfit in the first quarter of next year.

As F1’s most successful designer, Newey has contributed his creative genius to every single won of Red Bull’s 117 wins in Formula 1, including Verstappen’s 58 victories with the team.

Speculation has inevitably ramped up about Newey’s next move, with Ferrari reportedly pushing hard to lure the Briton to Maranello.

But it has also been suggested that Newey’s exit could incite Verstappen to also depart the Milton Keynes-based outfit well before the 2028 term of his contract.

Read also:

Verstappen respects Newey's choice: 'Not dramatic' for Red Bull

In Miami, ahead of this weekend’s round of racing in Florida, Verstappen downplayed the prospect of him walking away from Red Bull, while Horner set the record straight regarding the Dutchman’s potential ability to use Newey’s departure as a lever to release himself from his contract with the team.

“Well, you report those rumblings every week, but he’s still here,” Horner told Sky F1. “And look, Max is very happy in the team.

“He’s got a wonderful group of engineers around him. He’s got a great car. He’s in the best car of the grid. He’s driving in the form of his life.

“And it’s not about contracts. It’s about being content. And I think that’s the same for any driver. And he has that.

“He has that dynamic around him. And I think that what you’re seeing with him is a driver that’s revelling in that environment.”

Horner was justifiably tight-lipped regarding the fine print of Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull. But he nevertheless revealed that no clause exists linking the three-time world champion’s freedom to Newey’s exit.

“There’s no clauses with Adrian that link Adrian in any way to Max”, Horner confirmed. “They’ve enjoyed a good relationship over the years, as have our, obviously, previous drivers.

“But Max as well understands that there’s been a planning process to this. And it’s not just a knee-jerk. And so, the structure will not change with Adrian stepping back.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.