Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has caused a stir in Formula 1 by making a statement that leaves little doubt about Max Verstappen’s future. When asked about the four-time world champion, Mintzlaff confidently predicted that Verstappen would remain with Red Bull in the long term, and even suggested that the Dutch star could retire from racing with the team.
In an interview with De Telegraaf, Mintzlaff dismissed concerns over ‘performance clauses’ in Verstappen’s contract. Such clauses often fuel speculation that a top driver could leave if the team underperforms.
“For an athlete, the most important thing is that he sees everyone in the team giving their all for him. And I think Max is impressed with how the results and the atmosphere in the team have developed this year,” he explained.
Performance clauses? No problem
Verstappen’s current contract runs until 2028, and debate over potential exit clauses often resurfaces whenever Red Bull faces a challenging season. The logic is simple: if the team performs poorly and a fifth world championship becomes unlikely, Verstappen might be able to leave.
However, Mintzlaff is unfazed. “Max always wants to win and have the best possible car, and so do we,” he said. ‘As long as Max feels that we are working towards it and doing everything we can, I believe he will remain loyal to us. He also sees how much we have invested in our own engine.” The CEO insists that Red Bull’s commitment to success makes a potential exit unlikely.
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Verstappen Ending His Career at Red Bull?
Mintzlaff also emphasised the mutual loyalty between Verstappen and the team. He described ‘enormous appreciation and loyalty on both sides’ and said: ‘For me, there is no doubt that Max Verstappen will end his career at Red Bull.’ Beyond racing, Mintzlaff hopes that Verstappen will remain connected to the team in some capacity in the future, leveraging his experience and influence.
This comes after a season that didn’t go entirely to plan for Verstappen. After four consecutive titles, he had to relinquish the World Championship crown to McLaren driver Lando Norris. Nevertheless, Red Bull gained momentum in the second half of the year, demonstrating the resilience that motivates Verstappen.
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Red Bull’s Turbulent Season
The 2025 season also saw major changes at Red Bull. Team principal Christian Horner was dismissed, and Helmut Marko, a key advisor to Verstappen, announced that he would be leaving at the end of the year. Despite these shake-ups, Mintzlaff’s comments highlight the fact that the team’s culture and focus remain strong.
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2026 and Beyond
Formula 1 is on the cusp of a major technical revolution in 2026. Cars will become shorter and narrower, and a new generation of engines will arrive. Red Bull, in partnership with Ford, intends to manufacture its own engine in accordance with the new regulations, a decision that Mintzlaff considers pivotal for the team’s long-term competitiveness.
His message is clear: Red Bull is fully committed to Verstappen and ready for the next era of Formula 1. With both parties in agreement, it seems almost certain that the Dutch star’s time with the team will continue until he finally retires.
Read more: Red Bull CEO spills the beans on Horner and Marko
NEXT ARTICLE – F1 row erupting over 2026 regulation loophole
There was Williams active suspension in the 1990’s, Renault’s electronic gismos in the mid naughties, the double diffuser of the Brawn car and off throttle blowing by Red Bull and Renault. All loopholes in the regulation which a single team managed to exploit to win championships.
Now with the biggest set of technical regulations coming in the history of F1, another loophole is likely to cause a paddock row and a potential protest from certain teams come the season opener in Australia.
The grey area some manufacturers of the powertrains are seeking to exploit is over the new compression ratios for the internal combustion engine specified by the FIA.
Maximum compression rate for ICE reduced for 2026
Whilst no formal complaint has yet been made, the finger of suspicion has fallen upon Mercedes – who supply McLaren, Williams and Alpine together with Red Bull powertrains who supply the Racing Bulls and Red bull Racing.
The beef surrounds Article C5.4.3 of the new technical regulations which mandates a reduction in compression rates from 18.0:1 to 16.0;1. The reason behind this was to temper peak performance and deliver more efficient combustion in lines with the sport’s ever increasing green values, but it appears to have created a new complex battle between the manufacturers.
The loophole has been created by the FIA’s decision on how to measure the new ratio. Under the current rules this will…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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