Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season, as his much-talked-about exit clause won’t be triggered this year.
The Dutch dynamo’s future has been the talk of the paddock this summer, with whispers of a potential blockbuster move to Mercedes swirling for weeks.
But despite the ongoing speculation, it appears that Verstappen’s long-rumored escape hatch – an exit clause reportedly tied to his championship standing at the summer break – can nolonger be activated this season.
Verstappen’s Championship Cushion Seals Red Bull Stay
Verstappen's third-place position in the Drivers’ standings has become more than just a statistical advantage – it's now contractually significant.
After gaining three crucial points on Mercedes' George Russell during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, the Red Bull charger has created a 28-point buffer to the driver behind him in the standings.
With only 25 points on offer in the next round in Hungary, Verstappen is mathematically locked into the top three heading into F1’s summer break.
©RedBull
Why does that matter? Because sources suggest Verstappen’s Red Bull deal included a performance-based exit clause triggered only if he fell outside the top three by the summer break. That ship has now officially sailed – and with it, any chance of an early departure.
This development all but guarantees that Verstappen will remain in Red Bull colors as the team transitions into the sweeping new regulations in 2026.
Verstappen and Mekies: A New Era Begins at Red Bull
Coinciding with the closure of the exit clause rumor mill is Red Bull’s fresh leadership chapter. The Belgian Grand Prix weekend marked Laurent Mekies’ first race at the helm, stepping in to replace the ousted Christian Horner.
The team didn’t miss a beat, with Verstappen delivering a commanding win in Saturday’s Sprint event, a perfect welcome gift to the new boss.
©RedBull
Verstappen spoke positively about the changing guard, noting the evolving technical dialogue between himself and Mekies.
“I get along very well with him, so that’s already a bonus,” Verstappen told Dutch media. “Hopefully, we can continue to strengthen our relationship in the coming weeks and months.”
He also acknowledged Mekies’ engineering background as a factor in their deepening collaboration:
“My conversations with him go a bit deeper – but that’s completely normal.”
For now, the Verstappen-to-Mercedes rumors have been shelved – not by public declaration, but by pure performance and timing. Unless a seismic shift happens in the paddock, fans can expect the Dutchman to be wearing Red Bull gear well into the next generation of F1 regulations.
And for Red Bull, that’s a massive win.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
