Max Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has moved to quell ongoing speculation regarding the four-time world champion’s future, asserting that Verstappen intends to honour his Red Bull contract until its conclusion in 2028. Vermeulen’s statement directly addresses persistent rumours linking the Dutchman with a departure from the Milton Keynes outfit.
Verstappen’s contract includes a performance-based exit clause that could allow him to leave for the 2027 season. This clause becomes activatable if he is not within the top two positions in the drivers’ standings by the summer break.
The 2026 Formula 1 season has proven challenging for Verstappen and Red Bull. He currently sits seventh in the championship standings, having secured only one podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Red Bull has yet to secure a victory this season, and Verstappen experienced rear-wing failures at both the Austrian and British Grands Prix. This downturn in performance has intensified scrutiny over his long-term commitment.
Reports indicate Red Bull offered €8 million to buy out Verstappen’s exit clause, an offer he reportedly declined. This decision underscores his priority for a competitive car over financial incentives.
Former team boss Eddie Jordan, in August 2024, had predicted Verstappen would move to Mercedes for the 2026 season. Jordan cited Mercedes’ anticipated strong power unit under the new regulations as a key factor for such a switch.
Guenther Steiner, another former team principal, commented in May and July 2026 that top teams would likely make room for Verstappen. However, Steiner questioned whether a move to McLaren would represent a significant enough upgrade to justify the change.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Team Principal Andrea Stella have maintained they are not in the market for Verstappen. They expressed satisfaction with their current driver line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Vermeulen clarified that a recent meeting between himself, Jos Verstappen, and Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko in Amsterdam was a private engagement, coinciding with Max’s sister’s wedding. He reiterated that the existence of an exit clause does not compel its activation.
Vermeulen stated, ‘There’s a lot being written about it. But the truth is, Max wants to finish his time with Red Bull. He has a contract until 2028 and would like to fulfil it.’ He added, ‘The fact that this clause exists doesn’t mean we’ll activate it. We could have activated it in recent years as well, and we haven’t.’
Despite the current struggles, Vermeulen expressed optimism for Red Bull’s car development, suggesting improved chances for race wins at upcoming events like the Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix.
