Red Bull could pay Max Verstappen £60m not to race in F1 in 2027 even though he might never return

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Red Bull could offer to continue paying Max Verstappen’s contract in 2027 if the four-time champion wants to leave F1, in the hope that he would return with them in 2028.

The Milton Keynes squad are now having to seriously give thought to the risk of the 28-year-old wanting to break out of his contract at the end of 2026 after a very revealing few days at Suzuka. Verstappen shared at the Japanese Grand Prix that he is considering his future in F1.

After bowing out of qualifying in P11 on Saturday, Verstappen said he has to “figure out” his future in F1 as his hate for the 2026 regulations continues to grow. Reports also emerged on Sunday that Verstappen is openly considering retiring from F1 in 2026, barring big changes.

Verstappen does not find F1 fun with the new power units, which made the battery account for nearly 50% of the engine’s power. So, while it is said that Mercedes are almost certain to try to sign Verstappen for 2027, the idea of him retiring is growing owing to his displeasure.

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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Red Bull could pay Max Verstappen £60m to take a sabbatical from F1 in 2027

Red Bull run the risk of their star leaving, as Verstappen will have from August to October to use his release clause. The Dutchman will only have to rank third or lower in the F1 drivers’ standings at the summer break to have the right to tear up his contract through 2028 early.

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

It is very likely that Verstappen will get the right to use his release clause based on how Red Bull have started the 2026 F1 season. So, The Telegraph reports that Red Bull could offer to let Verstappen take a break from F1 in 2027 yet continue to pay his £60m per year contract.

Red Bull have already let Verstappen enter the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year. But they may now open the door to him competing in the Le Mans 24 Hours and other GT series next year in the hope that doing so would see him plan to return to F1 with them if F1 makes changes.

Yet while Red Bull could pay Verstappen £60m not to race in F1 in 2027 and give the series a chance to change the engine rules more to the Dutchman’s liking, it would not guarantee he returns with them in 2028. Verstappen would likely eye a new performance clause for 2027.

Red Bull had the second-fastest car in qualifying with Isack Hadjar after Verstappen crashed in Q1 in Australia. Yet Verstappen and Hadjar were both slower than Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in qualifying in China and Japan, for races that Gasly also finished in front of the Red Bull stars.

If Max Verstappen retires from F1, who should Red Bull sign as his replacement?

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Verstappen would likely be reluctant to return to F1 with Red Bull in 2028 if the team do not show him they can be more competitive in 2027, along with F1 changing the engine rules to reduce the battery’s role. So, even a £60m F1 sabbatical may see Verstappen leave Red Bull.

Martin Brundle has already refused to rule out Verstappen taking a sabbatical from F1, even before the Red Bull driver’s revealing interviews at the Japanese GP. Likewise, speaking back in February, David Coulthard suggested Verstappen could take a sabbatical from next year.

Verstappen would not be the first F1 driver to take a sabbatical, as Fernando Alonso stepped away most recently in 2019 and 2020, and Kimi Raikkonen also raced elsewhere in 2010 and 2011 before returning. Yet Mika Hakkinen also took a sabbatical in 2002 and never returned.