Red Bull Racing faces critical decisions regarding its 2027 Formula 1 driver lineup, with Max Verstappen’s contractual future a central point of discussion. The four-time world champion is currently contracted until the end of the 2028 season.
However, reports indicate a performance clause in his agreement has now activated. This clause reportedly allows Verstappen to depart Red Bull at the conclusion of the 2026 season if he is not positioned within the top two of the Drivers’ Standings by the summer break.
Following the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen sits sixth in the championship, over 100 points behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. He has until October to make a final decision on his future.
In response, Red Bull has reportedly offered Verstappen a new contract extension, aiming to secure his services until the end of the 2029 season. This proposed deal includes a significant salary increase and, crucially, would remove the existing performance-based exit clause.
Verstappen and his management have yet to formally respond to this offer. Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding Verstappen, Red Bull Racing’s second seat for 2026 is occupied by Isack Hadjar.
Hadjar was promoted from Visa Cash App Racing Bulls after an impressive rookie year in 2025, which included a podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances this season have been consistently strong.
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has indicated that Hadjar is likely to be retained for the 2027 campaign. Mekies praised Hadjar’s solid performance and his ability to learn from Verstappen, noting the positive impact of having two cars closer together in pace.
Hadjar has scored points in nearly every race he has finished this season. Further down the Red Bull driver ladder, Liam Lawson currently races for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2026, alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Lawson is in his second full season in Formula 1 and has delivered a solid campaign, accumulating 43 championship points to sit ninth in the standings. Lawson’s future beyond the current season remains uncertain, with his contract expiring at the end of 2026.
He anticipates formal discussions regarding his 2027 seat will occur during the upcoming summer break. The Red Bull junior programme continues to produce talent, increasing pressure on current VCARB drivers.
Highly-rated Formula 2 prospect Nikola Tsolov is among those pushing for a Formula 1 opportunity, with Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane confirming Tsolov is ‘next in line’ for Red Bull. This internal competition adds another layer of complexity to Lawson’s contract negotiations for 2027.
Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is currently a full-time driver for Haas in 2026. Bearman has shown strong potential, sitting 13th in the drivers’ championship with 18 points, ahead of his teammate Esteban Ocon.
His contract with Haas extends until at least the end of the 2026 season. Bearman’s long-term ambition remains a Ferrari race seat. However, Lewis Hamilton’s strong performance for Ferrari in 2026, where he is currently second in the world championship, complicates Bearman’s direct path to Maranello.
Bearman has stated he is not in a ‘huge rush’ and is open to exploring options outside the Ferrari programme if a faster route to wins emerges. He recently rejected a potential move to Aston Martin.
Red Bull’s driver strategy for 2027 is thus multifaceted, balancing the retention of its established four-time world champion, the development of its current Red Bull Racing talent, and the progression of its extensive junior driver pool. The upcoming summer break is expected to provide further clarity on these critical decisions.
