Max Verstappen contract clause could seal 2027 Red Bull exit with two teams now on his radar

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Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing has been a constant source of speculation in the Formula 1 paddock, and speculation is set to resume once again next season.

F1 Oversteer understands that Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull in time for the 2027 season due to a clause in his contract.

The Formula 1 driver market hasn’t been a big talking point this year, with all 17 confirmed drivers for next season set to stay with their current teams.

The final three available spots for 2026 are alongside Verstappen at Red Bull and at Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson waiting to discover their fate.

However, there is an expectation that when F1’s new regulations are introduced next year that many teams and drivers will be exploring their options in 2027.

The majority of teams will have at least one driver out of contract at the end of next season, with Aston Martin expected to look for two new drivers as Fernando Alonso could finally retire.

Red Bull are introducing their own power units to Formula 1 for the first time in 2026 in a new partnership with Ford, and there are concerns about Red Bull’s engines already.

This could influence Verstappen’s decision-making, and there are two teams that are already eyeing a move for the four-time world champion in the future.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Mercedes and Aston Martin eyeing move for Max Verstappen in 2027

F1 Oversteer understands that Verstappen will sign for another team in 2027 if Red Bull don’t build a car capable of challenging for the drivers’ championship.

The exact details of Verstappen’s contract aren’t known, but the 28-year-old has more than a gentleman’s agreement with Red Bull over his future, with a clause agreed in his current deal that would allow him to leave if he’s too far away from the top of the championship.

It’s believed, according to F1 Oversteer sources, that Mercedes believe they are the favourites to sign Verstappen if Red Bull don’t meet his expectations.

However, Aston Martin are also a team to watch when it comes to Verstappen’s next steps as Lawrence Stroll looks to turn his outfit into a championship contender.

After signing Adrian Newey and agreeing an exclusive deal with Honda to supply their power units, Aston Martin are going all-out to become the next dominant force in Formula 1, and signing Verstappen would certainly put them in contention going forward.

F1 Oversteer understands that Aston Martin are aiming to have either Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri or Charles Leclerc in their line-up by 2027, and that the talk on the grid is that they’re the most confident outfit alongside Mercedes for the 2027 campaign once the new regulations have been bedded in.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Who could replace Max Verstappen if he left Red Bull for the 2027 Formula 1 season?

Red Bull have had a problem with their second drivers ever since Daniel Ricciardo quit the team to race for Renault.

It would put team principal Laurent Mekies in an incredibly difficult position if he lost Verstappen and put huge pressure on whoever is racing alongside him next year, with Hadjar expected to be promoted in Tsunoda’s place.

Unless a Racing Bulls driver made a significant step up in 2026, a driver from outside of the Red Bull fold would have to be signed to replace Verstappen.

Leclerc has been linked with Red Bull as he becomes increasingly frustrated with Ferrari’s underperformance.

George Russell could also be an option for Red Bull, but it would likely rely on who Verstappen was replacing at whichever team he was going to join.

A move to Mercedes would leave Mekies looking at Russell or Kimi Antonelli to replace Verstappen, but if he joined Aston Martin, their position is far trickier.

Red Bull wouldn’t sign Lance Stroll, and it’s hard to see the team commit to Alonso at his age.

Verstappen is likely to be at the centre of the F1 driver market once again in 2026, and could trigger a chain of events even more dramatic than Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari.