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Max Verstappen's contract clause, which allows him to leave Red Bull for the 2026 season, will be deactivated if he remains in the top four drivers in the overall standings by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix, reports Motorsport.
The four-time world champion currently sits third in the championship, 57 points ahead of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc. If Verstappen maintains a lead of more than 50 points by the end of the Spanish Grand Prix, the exit clause, which is reportedly in his current contract, will no longer be valid.
Verstappen's contract, which expires in 2028, has reportedly been revised after last year's power struggle within Red Bull was largely over. Also, the clause that allowed him to leave the team if advisor Helmut Marko leaves is no longer in force.
However, the deadline for the championship-related clause expires at the end of June. So, if Verstappen is among the top four drivers in the standings after the Austrian Grand Prix, he will no longer have a “back door” to leave the team.
During the winter, Verstappen was linked with Aston Martin, whose big offer was written about in numerous media outlets. However, these rumors have quieted down significantly in recent months.
At the same time, rumors have been increasingly frequent that Verstappen is considering a move to Mercedes, which has been further fueled by the fact that George Russell’s contract extension has been extended longer than expected.
However, if Verstappen has at least a 50-point lead over Leclerc or the driver who is fifth in the standings after the weekend in Barcelona, his future at Red Bull – at least for the 2026 season – will be secured, and that too with two races to go.
Max Verstappen's stats
Verstappen currently occupies third place in the overall standings behind Oscar Piastre and Lando Norris, with 136 points. George Russell is fourth with 99 points, and Leclerc is fifth with 79 points.
As for Russell's new contract, Mercedes claims that everything is going according to plan and that talks on an extension are expected "around the Spanish GP". Russell has made a strong start to the 2025 season, further increasing his market value in potential negotiations with Mercedes.
At the Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he expects a quick deal with Russell:
"George and I are totally aligned on how it's going to go, we're 100% on the same page. There's no stalling because that's just not our style," Wolff said.
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