Verstappen exit clause with Red Bull set to vanish after Spanish GP

Max Verstappen’s much-speculated exit clause embedded in his contract with Red Bull appears to be racing toward irrelevance.

According to a report from Motorsport.com, the only remaining contractual escape hatch that could allow the four-time world champion to walk away from Red Bull at the end of 2025 is on the verge of closing.

Unless something extraordinary happens in the next two races, Verstappen will remain in the Red Bull stable for 2026 and beyond, with the exit clause in question poised to expire if he’s still sitting pretty in the top four of the Drivers’ Championship after the Austrian Grand Prix.

Currently third in the standings with 136 points — a solid 57 points ahead of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc — Verstappen is not only in the top four but if that gap to P5 remains over 50 points at the end of this Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix, the alleged performance clause is toast. Done. Non-existent.

Exit Clause and Deadlines

Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull runs through the 2028 season and was reportedly revised last year in the aftermath of the internal power struggle at the Milton Keynes-based outfit between team boss Christian Horner and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.

A previous escape clause tied to Marko’s potential departure has allegedly already been nullified.

With Verstappen consistently outperforming the mid-grid shuffle, the odds of him dropping more than 50 points in two race weekends are less than slim. They’re practically zero — unless something wildly unexpected happens in Spain or Austria.

That’s why, if Verstappen leaves the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday still with at least a 50-point cushion over the fifth-placed driver, his 2026 future with Red Bull will be set in stone with two races to spare – and with no contractual parachute to bail out of.

Rumors, Russell, and Mercedes Whisperings

Over the winter, Verstappen was linked to Aston Martin, with whispers of an eye-watering offer on the table from Lawrence Stroll’s squad. But those murmurs have since died down. The spotlight has shifted instead to Mercedes, who’ve become the latest rumored suitor for F1’s most prized asset.

What’s fanning the flames? The delay in George Russell’s expected contract renewal. While the Briton has had an impressive 2025 campaign so far – sitting fourth in the standings with 99 points – his negotiations with the Brackley outfit have taken longer than many anticipated.

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That alone has triggered speculation about whether Mercedes are quietly holding the door open for Verstappen.

However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has been quick to play down the drama. Speaking during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, he emphasized that the Russell contract situation is on track.

“George and I are totally clear of how this is going to go, and 100% alignment,” Wolff said. “There is no such thing as dragging this on because that's not what we do.”

Still, until pens hit paper – on either Russell’s deal or Verstappen’s next move – the rumors will linger.

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