Max Verstappen has ‘top three’ exit clause that could allow him to leave Red Bull in 2025

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Max Verstappen retains a championship lead of 59 points heading into this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. It was another effective weekend of damage limitation for the Red Bull driver.

Verstappen could only manage fifth in Baku, one of his poorest results of the season, and it would have been seventh without the late collision between Carlos Sainz and teammate Sergio Perez. But he only lost three points to rival Lando Norris.

Had Norris won the race, which was clearly feasible given that Oscar Piastri triumphed in the other McLaren, then Verstappen’s lead could have fallen below 50. But the Briton’s shock Q1 exit on Saturday spared him.

Still, the reigning champion will be concerned by Red Bull’s overall trajectory. He hasn’t won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, with his drought now extending to seven races.

In that time, he’s only scored two podium finishes (one at Silverstone, one on home soil in the Netherlands). And he’s only started on pole once since Imola (Austria).

Aston Martin are interested in Verstappen, having just signed his longtime Red Bull colleague Adrian Newey. But Verstappen’s camp continues to prioritise Mercedes after talks this year.

Max Verstappen could trigger Red Bull exit clause in early 2025

Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until the end of 2028, but it’s known to feature multiple exit clauses. And Sky Sport Italia have now unearthed one that could be particularly consequential.

If the 26-year-old isn’t in the top three in the standings after the ‘first Grands Prix’ in 2025, then he’s entitled to leave. It’s likely that he’ll take any DNFs into account.

Indeed, Verstappen was only sixth in the championship after the 2022 Australian GP, having retired in two of the first three races. He’d go on to romp to the title with 15 wins.

Verstappen has shown he can extract the absolute maximum from his car. As such, if he’s outside the top three, then he’ll see it as an indication that the team have lost their way.

Jacques Villeneuve confused by ‘very strange’ Max Verstappen situation at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

It’s feasible that Verstappen will be on the back foot at the start of next year. While he’s creditably managed to maintain a healthy lead at the top of the table, Red Bull are clearly behind McLaren in the competitive order at this point.

Ferrari are ahead on certain weekends too, as are Mercedes. The loss of Newey may already be taking effect.

Jacques Villeneuve says Verstappen sounds ‘downbeat’ during races right now, when previously he had a ‘feisty’ demeanour. He finds it ‘very strange’.

Helmut Marko expects Red Bull to struggle in Singapore but did offer Verstappen hope. He backed them to take a step forward from Austin onwards, potentially enabling his superstar driver to seal the title with a couple of races to spare.