Max Verstappen’s manager has just confirmed what Red Bull has been dreading: a release clause buried in the four-time champion’s contract could let him walk away from the team within months, and the clock is already running.
According to a report in Sport Bild, Verstappen’s deal runs until 2028, but contains an exit option triggered if he isn’t first or second in the drivers’ standings by the Hungarian Grand Prix. Although TJ13 has information that an exit clause might activate by the summer break from sources within the Milton Keynes factory, this news from the German paper has provided more precise insight into the Dutchmans contract details if accurate.
Certainly when considering his 2026 results thus far, hitting that target before the summer break looks close to impossible.
The Clause Hanging Over Red Bull’s Future:
That single clause now hangs over Red Bull’s entire 2027 planning. If Verstappen invokes it, the team would be searching for a replacement for one of the greatest drivers of his generation with almost no notice, Sport Bild describes Red Bull as facing a genuine “dilemma” over a decision that could reshape the team’s direction for years.
Crucially, the exit window doesn’t close at Hungary. Sport Bild suggests Verstappen can still exercise the clause as late as October, meaning Red Bull’s anxiety won’t be resolved by one bad result, or one good one, it stretches across half a season.
The outlet reports Red Bull’s apparent response is to try to buy the clause out altogether, for a sum described as in the low double-digit millions, in exchange for the planning certainty a team building toward new regulations badly needs.
Verstappen’s Manager Breaks His Silence:
Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, didn’t dodge the question when asked directly.
“We want the decision made soon, so everyone knows where they stand. It could be made before the summer break,” he said; language that points to weeks, not months, before this is resolved one way or another.
He was equally blunt about the loyalty side of the equation: “We have a contract until 2028. Of course, there are release clauses, there always have been. But we’ve never exercised one. We’ve always been loyal, and we will remain so.”
Why Red Bull Wants the Clause Gone
That history matters. Verstappen has had leverage to leave before, and chosen not to use it, which is exactly why a buyout, rather than a release, is reportedly Red Bull’s preferred route now.
It removes the clause as a recurring pressure point, rather than betting on loyalty alone to survive a difficult season.
But Vermeulen’s final comment was the one with teeth: “We want to continue down the path with Red Bull, and Max wants to end his career here, but of course with the possibility of winning.”
That’s not an unconditional commitment; it’s a condition.
Red Bull keeps Verstappen only if Red Bull keeps winning, and right now, the car isn’t delivering that.
If a buyout doesn’t materialise before Hungary, Verstappen heads into the second half of the season holding a release clause that’s live until October, and a manager who has already said publicly that a decision could come “before the summer break.”
Whatever happens next, Red Bull won’t have long to find out.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
