Max Verstappen will make Red Bull rivals the same contract demand for him to move teams in 2027

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Max Verstappen will demand the same concessions that Red Bull gift him for the four-time F1 champion to move teams for the 2027 season, as well as seeking a huge wage.

The 28-year-old is technically under contract to Red Bull through the 2028 campaign. Yet the idea of Verstappen leaving the Milton Keynes squad at the end of 2026 is gaining pace amid his regular threats to walk away from Formula 1 due to his hatred for the new engines.

Verstappen is often threatening to retire from F1 at the close of this year unless changes are made to the division of the power in the engine formula. The chance to leave Red Bull could even be available thanks to a release clause in the Dutchman’s contract likely being on offer.

Who other than Max Verstappen could Oscar Piastri have chosen as his toughest opponent?

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Max Verstappen will demand that the F1 team he drives for in 2027 lets him race in other series

As part of the long-term deal he agreed to sign in 2022, Verstappen will have from August to October to trigger a release clause if he hits the 2026 summer break sat outside the top two in the drivers’ standings. Currently, Verstappen is 45 points shy of George Russell in second.

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Verstappen triggering his release clause could spark a frenzy among the best teams, with his decision central to the F1 driver market. But AS reports that Verstappen would demand that any team interested in his signature permits him the same ‘concessions’ that Red Bull allow.

The 71-time Grand Prix winner is believed to insist that any F1 team keen on his services for 2027 must let him continue racing outside of Formula 1, as Red Bull do. Verstappen has developed a strong affection for GT3 racing and got his Nurburgring 24 Hours debut in May.

Red Bull have given Verstappen ‘free rein’ to satisfy his racing desires, and also support his endeavours outside of F1. So, the Dutchman is loath to lose those concessions if he were to move teams next season, thus he will demand that any team gives him the same conditions.

Verstappen’s demand to continue to be allowed to race outside of F1 in 2027 would also be on top of his wage. Red Bull have made Verstappen the highest-paid driver on the F1 grid in 2026, with his salary said to be £57.5m, and rival teams would have to offer a similar salary.

Who Verstappen could join if he were to leave Red Bull but want to remain in F1 next year is also somewhat unclear. Ferrari have signed Charles Leclerc to a new contract and are due to keep Lewis Hamilton for 2027, while McLaren expect Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to stay.

Aston Martin, meanwhile, failed to kick off the 2026 F1 regulations era as strongly as many thought the Silverstone squad would with Adrian Newey leading the design of their car. So, a move to Aston Martin may not be too appealing for Verstappen and his pure desire to win.