Max Verstappen Red Bull exit blocked as contract clause expires

Max Verstappen is now certain to remain at Red Bull for the 2026 F1 season, following the expiration of the much-discussed exit clause in his contract with the Milton Keynes squad. RacingNews365 understands the Dutchman had a provision in his deal with the six-time constructors' champions that would have allowed him to seek pastures new for next year, if he was outside the top three in the drivers' title fight by the summer break. Following the Belgian Grand Prix, where the 27-year-old finished fourth, he is now locked into third in the standings for the summer shutdown, despite the Hungarian Grand Prix being held this weekend. That is because the four-time F1 drivers' champion is 28 points clear of George Russell in fourth, somewhat of a saving grace for the Mercedes driver, with Verstappen closely linked to a seat at the Brackley team. Over the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, it became increasingly apparent that Toto Wolff wanted to carry on with Russell and Kimi Antonelli next term, but Russell finishing sixth in Belgium means there is no easy way to prise Verstappen from Red Bull, even if the Mercedes boss wanted to. Even though he is contracted to the energy drink-backed team until the end of 2028, the 65-time grand prix winner heading to the Silver Arrows remains a very real possibility for 2027, if Red Bull falls behind its rivals at the start of the new F1 regulations era. For now, though, Verstappen will again race with Red Bull in 2026. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Racingnews365.com | F1 News (@racingnews365com)