Max Verstappen will have a three-month window to use Red Bull release clause if 2026 woes persist

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Max Verstappen will have a three-month window to trigger the release clause in his contract with Red Bull through 2028, barring a huge turnaround in form this season.

The 28-year-old has endured a hugely frustrating start to the season, and is also now openly admitting that he is considering his future in Formula 1. A shock Q2 exit during qualifying on Saturday at Suzuka saw Verstappen raise doubts about his own future on the Formula 1 grid.

Verstappen admitted that he has to “figure out” his future in F1, as the four-time champion has gone beyond simply being “frustrated” by the challenges he is facing under the 2026 F1 regulations. The Dutchman also said he hopes that F1 makes “significant” changes for 2027.

From the very start of the new era, Verstappen has regularly voiced his disdain for the 2026 F1 regulations, which made the battery even more vital to the performance of the cars. The new rules have irked many drivers, but few have criticised them as much as Verstappen has.

Max Verstappen has openly questioned his F1 future – What are Red Bull’s chances of him driving for them in 2027 out of 10?

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Max Verstappen will have from August to October to trigger his Red Bull release clause

Now, Red Bull chiefs may feel slightly concerned that Verstappen could elect to walk out this year without a huge turnaround in form. Verstappen only needs to rank third or lower in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break in August to have the right to tear up his contract.

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

Given the form that Mercedes and to a lesser extent Ferrari have enjoyed so far in 2026, the chances that Verstappen will be in the top two after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 24-26 are very slim. And he will not have to make a quick decision on his future come the summer.

Jon Noble reports for The Race that Verstappen will have until October to inform Red Bull of his desire to terminate his contract early, should he want to leave. But Verstappen is already starting to think about his future in F1 now with the breaks in the calendar in April and May.

The cancellations of the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the current situation in the Middle East created a five-week break between this week’s Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3 – which is followed by another three-week break.

Verstappen is likely to seriously consider his long-term future in Formula 1 before heading to Florida and potentially again in the break before the Canadian Grand Prix on May 22-24. Red Bull will no doubt hope that Verstappen fulfils his contract, as the figurehead of their squad.