Max Verstappen exit clause confirmed after Red Bull...

Max Verstappen exit clause confirmed after Red Bull…to quit F1 over FIA…read more.

Max Verstappen has addressed speculation surrounding an exit clause in his Red Bull contract, following team principal Christian Horner’s confirmation of a “performance element” in the three-time world champion’s deal. Verstappen, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, reportedly has an option to leave the team by 2026 if they fail to provide a car capable of competing for the World Championship.

Rumors have swirled about Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull after Horner hinted at the existence of a performance clause earlier this summer. Speaking on the topic during the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen responded with some ambiguity, saying, “Maybe yes or maybe no,” but he emphasized that his current focus is on understanding and improving in the present season. “I don’t think about that at the moment… what happens after that is still far away for me, so I don’t have it in my head right now,” he added.

Both Mercedes and Aston Martin have reportedly expressed interest in signing Verstappen should he leave Red Bull. Aston Martin, in particular, has strengthened its position by signing Red Bull’s famed aerodynamicist Adrian Newey on a multi-year contract starting in 2025, sparking further speculation about Verstappen’s future.

However, Verstappen clarified that he has no intention of jumping from team to team during his Formula 1 career. Any move away from Red Bull, he insisted, would be his “last step” in the sport. “I think I’ve already been with this team for a long time,” Verstappen explained, “and I don’t want my F1 career to be part of four or five teams.” He emphasized that stability and a long-term relationship with a single team, like Red Bull, are important to him. “Changing teams often is not nice for me,” he said, signaling his preference to stay put unless a dramatic shift is necessary.

The Dutchman suggested that his next move could even be an extension with Red Bull rather than a switch to another team, as everything remains undecided for now. He reiterated his contentment with his current situation and his reluctance to make drastic career changes without clear cause.

While Verstappen’s future largely hinges on Red Bull’s competitiveness in the 2025 season and beyond, it may also be influenced by his growing frustration with the FIA. Recently, Verstappen was sanctioned with community service after swearing in a press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. His frustration with what he views as excessive control from the governing body was clear when he stated that such incidents could drive him to quit F1 entirely.

“These kinds of things definitely decide my future,” Verstappen warned, adding that he does not want to continue in the sport if he feels restricted by “silly things” imposed by the FIA. He explained that dealing with such issues has become exhausting, and he might reconsider his place in the sport if these frustrations persist. “I’m now at the stage of my career where I don’t want to be dealing with this all the time,” he said, hinting that continued restrictions could influence his decision to walk away from Formula 1 altogether.