SHOCKING News: Max Verstappen’s EXIT clause Confirmed…Read more
SHOCKING News: Max Verstappen’s EXIT clause Confirmed…Read more
Max Verstappen’s long-term commitment to Red Bull Racing is under increasing scrutiny, particularly after Helmut Marko recently acknowledged that the reigning champion’s contract contains performance-based exit clauses. With Red Bull struggling for pace this season, Verstappen’s chances of defending his title are fading, as he now trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 49 points after nine races.
A more immediate concern is Verstappen’s disciplinary record. He currently holds 11 penalty points on his super licence over the last 12 months. If he earns just one more during the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, he will face an automatic one-race suspension, causing him to miss the Austrian GP. Such a scenario would present Red Bull with a significant dilemma: not only would they need to find a temporary replacement for their star driver, but Verstappen could also lose crucial points, potentially dropping him to fifth in the standings.
For Verstappen to fall out of the top four, he would need to go two races without scoring, while Charles Leclerc would have to win one and secure a second-place finish in the other. George Russell would also need to continue his run of solid performances. Though this scenario might seem unlikely, it’s not impossible—and that’s a problem for Red Bull.
This situation raises questions about Verstappen’s contractual freedom. His performance clause could allow him to walk away from the team if specific results aren’t achieved. If Red Bull continues to underperform, and Verstappen slips further down the standings, the likelihood of him activating such a clause could increase.
Red Bull, from a strategic point of view, might prefer that any race ban falls on the British Grand Prix instead of their home race in Austria. Interestingly, former F1 driver Jan Lammers recently claimed Verstappen himself might not be too bothered about missing Silverstone. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Dutchman willingly accepting a race ban, especially when every point is vital in the championship fight.
With his disappointing P10 finish at the recent Spanish Grand Prix—earning only a single point—the stakes are higher than ever. Missing a race at this stage could effectively end his already slim hopes of a fifth straight world title. For Red Bull, the combination of Verstappen’s fading title hopes, looming race ban, and the exit clause in his contract forms a serious threat to their future plans and stabilitty
Red Bull should be seriously concerned. If their star driver continues to struggle both on track and with penalties, and if rival drivers continue to close the gap or surpass him, Verstappen’s exit clause may no longer be just a contractual formality—it could soon become a real Possibility.
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