Red Bull’s senior figure, Helmut Marko, has swiftly dismissed what he describes as “nonsense” claims surrounding Max Verstappen’s widely discussed exit clause — a provision in the four-time world champion’s contract that has sparked renewed intrigue ahead of a pivotal stage in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The latest rumour emerged after the Italian edition of motorsport.com reported a specific condition relating to Verstappen’s right to leave Red Bull. According to the publication, a clause in his contract would become void if he finishes in the top four of the drivers’ standings after the Austrian Grand Prix — an event just weeks away.
Currently, before the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Verstappen sits third in the standings, a comfortable 57 points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fifth place. If he maintains this lead through Barcelona, he will all but be locked into the top four by the June deadline — supposedly rendering the exit clause null and ending all hope of a shock move elsewhere in 2026.
However, Red Bull’s outspoken motorsport advisor has a different opinion.
Marko shuts the door: “All versions are incorrect”
Helmut Marko, who is no stranger to F1’s off-track drama, offered a candid response when questioned about the report during the qualifying broadcast on Sky.
“It’s all nonsense, and all versions are incorrect. There are no facts anywhere,” he stated, clearly frustrated by the speculative media storm.
His remarks directly challenge the idea that Verstappen’s contract contains any condition tied to championship position after a specific race. While it is widely accepted that Verstappen does have at least one exit clause in his Red Bull deal, Marko insisted that the nature and mechanics of these clauses are not as they are being portrayed in the press.
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A history of exit speculation
This is far from the first time that Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has been scrutinised. Despite being under contract with the team until the end of 2028, rumours persistently link him to rivals, most notably Mercedes and Aston Martin.
The Silver Arrows, in particular, have openly expressed interest in Verstappen. With Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and George Russell’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has remained noncommittal yet optimistic about retaining Russell. Nevertheless, the idea of pairing Verstappen with the German team continues to be an attractive prospect.
Aston Martin, with their significant investment in infrastructure and recruitment of top engineering talent, have also been suggested as a potential future employer, especially given their ties to Honda as the defacto works team in 2026, Red Bull’s current engine partner. This could provide an appealing transition for Verstappen as he considers his career after Red Bull.
Behind the Curtain: Red Bull’s Internal Power Struggles
Fuelling these rumours is the well-documented internal conflict within Red Bull earlier this year. A tense standoff between team principal Christian Horner and Marko’s camp, which included the Verstappen family and sponsors, threatened to tear the team apart. At one point, Verstappen was reported to have a clause in his contract allowing him to leave Red Bull if Marko was pushed out.
Eventually, however, the confrontation cooled, with Marko remaining in his role and Verstappen reaffirming his commitment — for now. However, it is believed that the Verstappen camp pushed for a review of the contract in light of these events, resulting in the renegotiation or removal of certain clauses, including the now-defunct ‘Marko clause’.
According to motorsport.com, only one clause remains active — an option tied to Verstappen’s finishing position in the championship. Yet, according to Marko, even that is a fabrication.
The Bigger Picture: Verstappen Holds the Cards
Despite the public denials, the mere existence of such rumours signals how precarious Verstappen’s long-term loyalty may be. Now a four-time world champion, the Dutchman has earned the right to dictate his own future, and few in the paddock would be surprised if he ultimately decided to leave Red Bull — especially if the team begins to falter amid the upcoming 2026 regulation changes.
With Red Bull’s dominance finally being challenged by McLaren in 2025, and Mercedes showing signs of resurgence, Verstappen may be reconsidering whether Red Bull is still the best platform for his ambitions. Internal political turbulence, unresolved tensions with Horner and concerns about engine performance under the new rules may all be contributing factors.
Nevertheless, as of now, there is no public indication that Verstappen is preparing to leave Red Bull. Marko’s firm denial suggests that Red Bull is confident of keeping their star driver — at least until something changes dramatically.
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What happens next?
All eyes are now on Barcelona and the Austrian Grand Prix that follows. If the rumoured clause did exist and Verstappen secures a top-four position by the deadline, it would theoretically tie him to Red Bull for another year, eliminating his most viable exit strategy.
However, given Marko’s categorical denial, either the clause never existed in that form or the team is trying to control the narrative to avoid distractions.
In truth, the only person who knows the full picture is Verstappen himself. For now, he’s staying quiet, leaving the rest of the F1 world to keep guessing.
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