Max Verstappen’s agent confirms the Red Bull F1 driver’s intentions as 2027 exit clause nears

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Raymond Vermeulen has confirmed that Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull has a release clause, which the four-time F1 champion could activate before the summer.

This year marks the first time that Verstappen could genuinely leave Red Bull, after a decade racing for the Milton Keynes outfit. He replaced Daniil Kvyat in their top line-up in 2016, and has since had every ounce of success with the team who bet big on his potential as a youth.

Red Bull and Verstappen’s successes have dried up at the start of F1’s 2026 regulations era, however, and the situation has opened a door for him to leave. It is said that Verstappen will have from August to October to activate his release clause if he hits the summer 2026 break ranked outside the top two in the drivers’ standings, and the Dutchman is currently seventh.

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Raymond Vermeulen confirms Max Verstappen will tell Red Bull his 2027 plans ‘soon’

Red Bull are desperate for Verstappen to stay in 2027, and have even broached the idea of a new contract as a sign of his commitment. But Ralf Schumacher now claims that Verstappen rejected Red Bull’s offer of a new contract through 2032, as he would “rather wait and see”.

READ MORE: The best moments of Max Verstappen’s career in Formula 1

A decision on which team Verstappen will drive for in 2027, or whether the 28-year-old will follow through on his threats to retire from Formula 1, might be close, however. Vermeulen has confirmed that Verstappen could inform Red Bull of his plans before the summer break.

Vermeulen states that Verstappen’s preference remains to be “loyal” to Red Bull, with whom he is under contract through the 2028 season on a deal he signed in 2022. Yet the agent will not say for certain that the 71-time Grand Prix winner will remain in Milton Keynes in 2027.

“We want the decision made soon so everyone knows where they stand,” Vermeulen told Sport BILD, via quotes by sport.de. “It could be made before the summer break.

“We have a contract until 2028. Of course, there are release clauses, there always have been. But we’ve never exercised one. We’ve always been loyal, and we will remain so.”

Vermeulen’s comments will likely pique the interest of the Formula 1 paddock, knowing that Verstappen could soon hit the driver market. Although, sport.de adds that Sport BILD claims Red Bull could buy out Verstappen’s release clause to avoid him leaving at the close of 2026.

It would take a fee in the low double-digit millions for Red Bull to remove the exit clause for 2027 in Verstappen’s contract. There are also no guarantees that the Dutchman may accept Red Bull’s offer without knowing for certain that they will enter a competitive car next year.

Verstappen has only taken one Grand Prix podium finish through the first seven rounds of the 2026 season, having secured P3 in Canada after Mercedes rival George Russell retired from the lead. Such a run of form could even see Verstappen replace Russell at Mercedes.

Schumacher has suggested that Toto Wolff has made Verstappen an offer to join Mercedes in 2027, knowing that it is highly likely that the 28-year-old’s exit clause will be in play this summer. But Wolff offered such a low wage that Verstappen never considered accepting it.