Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull is hanging in the balance following a reported meeting with the team that left shareholders 'unhappy'. The four-time world champion has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the 2026 season, with links to Mercedes growing stronger.
Contract Clause Sparks Uncertainty
According to a report from Planet F1, Verstappen and Red Bull held a meeting in Austria before the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix to discuss a clause in his contract. The clause reportedly allows Verstappen to leave the team if he is not in the top two of the Drivers' Championship standings by the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26. Despite being under contract until 2028, the 28-year-old could activate this release clause.
Red Bull attempted to convince Verstappen to remove the clause, but he refused. The report claims this rejection has made shareholders 'unhappy'.
Performance Struggles
Verstappen currently sits seventh in the World Drivers' Championship, 101 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes after just six races. He managed a fourth-place finish at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix last weekend, an improvement from the previous race in Monaco where he failed to finish due to a car issue at the start.
Mercedes Link
Mercedes has been consistently linked with a move for Verstappen. Ralf Schumacher recently claimed that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made a secret offer to Verstappen, which was turned down.
Verstappen's agent, Raymond Vermeulen, confirmed the existence of a release clause but emphasized the driver's loyalty to Red Bull. '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,' Vermeulen told German media. He added that a decision on Verstappen's future could be made before the summer break.
Verstappen will next race at the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
