Red Bull can ‘guarantee’ Max Verstappen will stay for 2026 if they do one thing in the next 18 days

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Rumours have been swirling around about Max Verstappen’s immediate and long-term future with Red Bull.

Many may believe that Christian Horner’s sacking from Red Bull would be enough to keep the Dutchman, especially considering the alleged influence he had on the decision. Verstappen pushed for Horner’s power to be limited or for him to be outright replaced.

The four-time champion has been frustrated by the RB21 and the lack of progress with updates from the technical department. It has led to Verstappen admitting defeat in the drivers’ championship, as he sits 69 points behind Oscar Piastri.

Speculation has been rife as to whether the 27-year-old could also leave Red Bull, with Mercedes ramping up efforts to sign Verstappen. Toto Wolff was in Sardinia last week at the same time as the Dutchman, but the pair did not meet.

Verstappen is contracted until 2028, but it is well-known that he has a get-out clause in that deal that could facilitate an early departure. But it has now been reported that Red Bull can ‘guarantee’ he stays at least for next season.

Red Bull can ‘guarantee’ Max Verstappen will stay for 2026 if he is in the top three after the Hungarian GP

Verstappen is not expected to leave Red Bull until 2027, as he wishes to assess the teams under the 2026 F1 regulations. It would be a huge risk to make a move before then, but it is still possible.

There has been much speculation about the exact details of the 27-year-old’s exit clause, with conflicting reports suggesting that not being in the top two, three, or even the top four by a certain race would trigger its activation.

According to a report from Motorsport Italia, Verstappen’s exit clause has a ‘deadline’ of 18 days, namely the Hungarian Grand Prix. By then, ‘Red Bull hopes to confirm’ that he will be in the top three of the standings.

The Red Bull star is currently third, but is 18 points ahead of George Russell, having scored fewer points than Nico Hulkenberg in the last four races.

The Milton Keynes outfit will be anxious over the next few months about whether they can keep the four-time champion on board. But the report states that they can ‘guarantee’ he will stay put for 2026 if he secures a top-three position in the standings after the race at the Hungaroring.

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Red Bull can secure Max Verstappen’s short-term future but an exit is still possible

The Milton Keynes outfit are doing everything they can, including drastic measures, to convince the 27-year-old to stay. Incredible reports have even suggested that Red Bull could let Verstappen change their name.

With a move away seemingly unlikely for 2026, the team must now prove that they will have a competitive package. Red Bull have ‘legitimate concerns’ about their power unit, as does Verstappen’s camp, about whether it can challenge for a title.

If they are not a championship-contending team next season, it could be easier for their star driver to find a way out. Verstappen will have more favourable exit clauses in 2026, making a switch to Mercedes more possible.

Red Bull pulled a masterstroke in 2024 by signing Helmut Marko to a new contract, thus eliminating an exit clause in Verstappen’s deal if the Austrian left. With Horner’s departure not affecting Marko, that may be enough to keep their star driver.