What Max Verstappen’s camp are currently saying about activating 2026 exit clause

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Max Verstappen briefly looked set to join Mercedes for the 2025 season. A dispute between Red Bull bosses Christian Horner and Helmut Marko seemed to open the door for Toto Wolff.

If Marko left the team, then Verstappen was entitled to follow under a clause in his contract. He has a close relationship with the Austrian, who brought him into F1 with Toro Rosso back in 2015.

Amid a power struggle behind the scenes, Horner thought about trying to force Marko out. This may have consolidated his grip on the team, but could have had disastrous consequences given Verstappen’s contractual mechanisms.

Horner ultimately found peace with Marko, who has now signed a new contract. Thus the prospect of Verstappen replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes fell through.

But that doesn’t definitively settle the issue. Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs until 2028, but there are other exit clauses at play.

And one of those clauses will become active next year. Verstappen can leave ahead of the 2026 regulation changes, but much will depend on how he sees Red Bull’s prospects.

Max Verstappen’s camp still view Red Bull as the strongest team for 2026

According to German publication Auto Motor und Sport, team Verstappen are currently saying that ‘the Red Bull cockpit’ will still be the ‘hottest stock on the transfer market’ for 2026. As it stands, the Dutchman feels as if he occupies the most desirable seat in F1.

Reports elsewhere had claimed Verstappen was concerned about the RBPT project. Red Bull are building their own engines from 2026 as they split with Honda.

They will be competing with long-established manufacturers in F1’s new era. But Horner has poached huge numbers of Mercedes employees in the hope of putting the team, who will be backed by Ford, in the strongest possible position.

Verstappen’s stance could evolve over the next year or so, of course. But right now, it looks ‘difficult’ for Wolff, with the world champion unlikely to activate his exit clause.

Max Verstappen plans to study one feature of 2025 Mercedes car

There’s a strong chance that Verstappen is a five-time champion by the end of next year. It would be difficult to imagine him leaving Red Bull in that position.

But if the Milton Keynes outfit are swallowed up by McLaren, Mercedes or potentially Ferrari, then his views may change. They have surrendered their dominance this year after their rivals seemingly outdeveloped them.

The off-track dynamics will also be crucial. Horner has had disputes with Jos Verstappen, so that will have to be managed carefully.

Mercedes aren’t the only team interested. Aston Martin have also held talks with Verstappen, though that would be a major gamble for all Lawrence Stroll’s investment.