Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen’s reported intentions to leave Red Bull Racing are a strategic manoeuvre to pressure the team into improving car performance. The former Formula 1 driver suggests that the ongoing speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future is not indicative of a genuine desire to depart.
Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull extends until the end of the 2028 season. However, this agreement contains a performance-based exit clause. This clause permits the four-time world champion to leave at the conclusion of the 2026 season if he is not positioned within the top two of the drivers’ standings by the summer break.
As of the 2026 summer shutdown, Verstappen is currently sixth in the drivers’ championship. He trails Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli by over 100 points. This standing has automatically activated the performance clause in his contract.
Red Bull has reportedly responded by offering Verstappen a new contract extension. This proposed deal would secure his tenure with the team until the end of the 2029 season. Crucially, the new offer aims to remove the existing performance clause.
The financial terms of this new proposal are substantial, reportedly valued at approximately €65 million per year. This package would position Verstappen as one of the highest-paid drivers on the grid. He has until October to make a decision on this offer.
Despite the activated clause and Red Bull’s new offer, Verstappen has remained non-committal regarding his future beyond 2026. When questioned, he stated, ‘There’s nothing to say.’
Conversely, Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, has indicated that his driver intends to complete his contract with Red Bull until 2028. Vermeulen clarified that the existence of the exit clause does not automatically mean it will be activated.
Red Bull has faced challenges during the 2026 season, particularly with the new regulations and the performance of their in-house power unit developed in collaboration with Ford. The team currently lags significantly behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings.
Montoya’s perspective is that Verstappen, despite the team’s current struggles, views Red Bull as one of the strongest teams in Formula 1. He believes Verstappen is confident in the team’s ability to return to front-running contention.
‘I don’t think Max wants to leave Red Bull,’ Montoya explained. ‘You’re in one of the best F1 teams, probably the best team in the last 20 years, with Mercedes. You’re in the right place.’
The Colombian further elaborated that Verstappen’s public comments and the surrounding transfer rumours serve to apply pressure on Red Bull to accelerate car development and improve performance.
Speculation has linked Verstappen with a potential move to McLaren for the 2027 season. However, previous links to Mercedes appear to have diminished following George Russell’s contract extension into 2027.
Concerns have also been raised about the performance of Red Bull’s new 2026 engines. Montoya previously voiced fears that the team could fall back into the midfield.
Reports suggest Red Bull is considering an early shift in development focus to their 2027 car. This would effectively scale back significant development on the current RB22 for the remainder of the 2026 season.
