Max Verstappen’s future now seems all but confirmed: the Dutch driver is set to stay with Red Bull for the foreseeable future
According to a report by Motorsport.com, Verstappen will remain with Red Bull at least until the end of 2026. The current four-time world champion — who’s chasing a fifth title this year — has a performance-based clause in his contract set to expire at the end of June.
Reportedly, Verstappen recently renegotiated a key part of his agreement: the exit clause tied to Helmut Marko’s presence within the team. Originally, Verstappen would have been allowed to terminate his contract if Marko were to leave Red Bull. That clause has now been entirely removed.
It’s been replaced with a much more tangible and measurable condition: if Verstappen is in the top four of the Drivers’ Championship standings by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix, his contract will automatically be extended until 2028, with a guaranteed stay through at least 2026.
A Top-4 Finish Looks Like a Formailty — Could the Renewal Happen as Early as Spain?
Currently, Verstappen holds a 57-point lead over Charles Leclerc, his closest rival outside of the Red Bull camp. That means he could lose up to 56 points across the next two race weekends and still trigger the renewal clause, either as early as the Spanish Grand Prix or, at the latest, in Austria.
This news effectively shuts down ongoing speculation about Verstappen’s future — especially the rumors linking him to Mercedes in the event of a major shake-up at Red Bull following the Christian Horner controversy.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing