Max Verstappen exit clause set to activate after Austrian Grand Prix as new Red Bull contract details emerge

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Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028. But his camp negotiated potential escape routes in the event that the team regressed.

Verstappen enters the Austrian Grand Prix weekend 43 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. He’s repeatedly said he doesn’t see himself as a contender this year.

The Dutchman is performing at an exceptional level, having scored 155 of his team’s 162 points. But his streak of four consecutive titles is at risk.

Of course, Verstappen needs to base his decision not on this year, but on the team’s long-term prospects. Red Bull, who have lost key personnel like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley lately, are building their own engine for the first time ahead of the regulation changes.

Max Verstappen can leave Red Bull if he’s outside championship top two

Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, Verstappen refused to definitively state that he would remain at Red Bull next year. He simply said it wasn’t ‘on his mind’ and indicated he was tired of discussing his future.

According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, ‘the door seems to be open’ for the 65-time race-winner to leave. Previous reports claimed Verstappen’s exit clause was tied to staying in the top three.

But Cerasoli understands that he must be in the top two at the halfway point of the year – i.e. the end of June. With Lando Norris 21 points ahead, it’s highly likely that the clause will become active on Monday.

Verstappen’s intentions are unknown at this stage. But it’s unlikely to be a coincidence that George Russell is yet to sign a new deal with chief suitors Mercedes.

“We do believe that this race is important for his future, or this period in time,” Cerasoli said. “At the end of June. At the end of June – the end of the first six months of the year – an exit clause will kick in, releasing him from his Red Bull contract.

“There was a report saying if he was in the top four, then he couldn’t leave. That’s not what I heard. What I’ve kept hearing for the last few months is that it’s the top two. At the moment, he’s in third position, and he doesn’t look like he’s going to be in the top two by the end of this weekend.

“The door seems to be open for him to leave. We don’t know if he’s going to. We’ll have to wait.”

The big off-track factor driving Mercedes’ pursuit of Max Verstappen

Verstappen joining Aston Martin has been ruled out, which means it’s going to be Mercedes or Red Bull next year. Lawrence Stroll has invested several hundred million, but it still needs to come together on track.

While there’s mutual respect, Verstappen didn’t ‘click’ with Newey on a personal level. The opportunity to reunite with the legendary designer may not be a powerful draw.

Russell has been outstanding for Mercedes this season, but Verstappen is a bona fide all-time great and is widely regarded as the best driver on the current grid.

What’s more, Mercedes want to fill the void left by Lewis Hamilton commercially. And Verstappen is the only active driver capable of doing so.