Red Bull denies reports of a June deadline in Max Verstappen’s F1 contract, calling the exit clause speculation completely false.
Dr. Helmut Marko has dismissed as “absurd” the reports published by specialist media and some British Formula 1 news outlets concerning Max Verstappen’s contract exit clause.
According to these reports, as long as the four-time world champion remains in third place in the drivers’ standings by the end of June, he would not be able to exit his contract for 2026.
The timing of these claims is notable, as the influential Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, which is close to the Verstappen camp, insists that “Toto Wolff is still flirting with Max behind the scenes.”
Red Bull advisor Marko strongly criticized the reports about the late June deadline.
“These reports are absurd because they are incorrect!”
However, he refused to provide clarification.
“There is a clause, but it is contractual and therefore confidential.”
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Verstappen Holds The Key
Even if Verstappen is contractually tied to Red Bull until 2028 with no clause to trigger an early release, another scenario could see the 27-year-old driver and his management simply informing Red Bull that they wish to terminate the contract.
“That would complicate things,” Marko admitted. “Didi Mateschitz always said you should never block someone from leaving.”
“We just need to make sure he has no reason to do so.”
Verstappen’s managers are his father Jos, who had serious disputes with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner last year, and Raymond Vermeulen.
Vermeulen (pictured below) suggested that this weekend’s Grand Prix is a key moment for Red Bull’s performance and potentially for Verstappen’s future.
“We will see the truth in Barcelona. The Circuit de Catalunya is considered a key indicator of a car’s overall performance. From there, we will know what to expect for the rest of the season. And decisions may have to be made.”
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