Red Bull offer Max Verstappen lucrative new contract with one key paragraph removed

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Red Bull have reportedly put a new contract on the table for Max Verstappen, even though his current deal runs until the end of 2028.

Verstappen’s Red Bull future beyond 2026 is not guaranteed because of an exit clause in his contract. The deal stipulates that, since he’s outside the top two in the standings, he is free to leave.

The summer break was used as the measuring point for that clause, so it’s now officially in play. But there’s no sign that Verstappen will make an imminent decision; he has until October to push the button, should he desire.

Max Verstappen would have to give up exit clause under new Red Bull offer

It has been reported that Red Bull could try and buy out Verstappen’s clause for a seven or even eight-figure fee, but German newspaper Bild say this is not the case.

Instead, they believe that Laurent Mekies’ team want to restructure Verstappen’s contract, extending it by a further year (to 2029) and removing any mention of an exit route.

Verstappen’s base salary, said to be €65m (£55m), would be increased, but he would be committing his future to a team who have failed to convince so far under the new regulations.

The Dutchman scored his second straight podium and his fourth of the year at the Hungaroring, but felt his car was borderline undrivable for much of the weekend. He was stunned to finish P2 in light of those complaints.

Red Bull co-owner Mark Mateschitz is growing impatient with Verstappen, and along with sports boss Oliver Mintzlaff. The contract has been on the table for ‘several weeks’, but talks continue.

Verstappen may be reluctant to give up control of his future, even if an extension promises to be lucrative.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said this weekend he would be sticking with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2027, which leaves McLaren as Verstappen’s only semi-realistic option.

The world champions are open admirers but also express their commitment to their current line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at every opportunity.