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MAX VERSTAPPEN might leave Red Bull due to a clause in his contract, as revealed by the team’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko.
The reigning Formula One champion is currently in third place in the World Drivers Championship standings, just eight points behind the leader after a lackluster sixth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Red Bull has consistently faced performance issues when compared to constructor champions McLaren, whose drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—who secured victory in Bahrain—currently dominate the top two positions in the drivers’ championship.
Earlier in the month, Verstappen showcased a remarkable performance in F1, taking first place at the Japanese Grand Prix.
However, that achievement was greatly aided by starting in pole position, and with minimal tire wear and the tight layout of the Suzuka track, opportunities for overtaking during the race were virtually absent.
Nevertheless, ongoing performance shortcomings this season, particularly those highlighted by Verstappen related to balance issues leading to unpredictability upon corner entry and mid-corner understeering, have left the Dutch driver feeling exasperated.
These issues may prompt the 27-year-old to reconsider his future with the team.
As reported by BBC Sport, a clause in his contract, which extends through 2026, states that he must be provided with a competitive car; otherwise, he may explore other options.
Team advisor Marko has expressed considerable concern regarding Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, particularly in light of the current performance challenges.
Marko, who is 81, told Sky Germany: “The concern is significant. Improvements must happen promptly so that he has a car capable of winning again.
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“We need to build a solid foundation with a car that enables him to compete for the world championship.”
Verstappen has achieved four consecutive titles with Red Bull but faces a tough road to secure a historic fifth title this season.
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In March, Marko mentioned to the BBC, “We have a tremendous drive to achieve that fifth title.
“We are also conscious that if we do not deliver for Max, all elite drivers have performance clauses within their contracts…
“The entire team is determined to attain this fifth title, something we failed to achieve with [Sebastian] Vettel, but this time we have a chance.”
Following Verstappen’s P6 result in Bahrain, key individuals at Red Bull, including team principal Christian Horner, technical director Pierre Waché, chief engineer Paul Monaghan, and advisor Marko held a crisis meeting.
Sky Sport’s Ted Kravitz also reported that Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, was seen confronting Marko angrily in the team’s garage after the race.
The Bahrain race was notably affected by two slow pit stops for Verstappen, marking a sharp deviation from Red Bull’s usual swift performance in that area.
Verstappen has been linked to potential transfers to Mercedes and Aston Martin, with the latter needing to refute a January claim suggesting they would present the F1 star with a deal worth £1 billion.
With new engine and chassis regulations set to come into play in 2026, Verstappen may contemplate leaving Red Bull amid this pivotal transition for F1.
Aston Martin has enlisted former Red Bull designer Adrian Newey for this new chapter, while Mercedes is generally perceived as well-positioned to leverage the upcoming changes.
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