Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Exit: How The F1 Star Could Leave His Beloved Team

There was a time when Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit seemed unthinkable. However, this season has seen a disappointing campaign for both the team and the F1 sensation Max Verstappen. His long-term future in the team has been a long topic of discussion; however, it has once again gained momentum after the Austrian Grand Prix 2025. If this is true, it can change the upcoming season’s grid dramatically. So let’s take a look at the details.

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Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Exit

Who Could Replace Max Verstappen If He Faces A Race Ban

Despite being officially contracted to the team until the end of 2028, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit seems more and more believable with each passing day. The deal includes a clause that allows him to leave early if he is not within the top four of the Driver’s Standings after the conclusion of the Austrian Grand Prix 2025. This performance clause was confirmed by team principal Christian Horner.

After he could not finish the Austrian Grand Prix 2025 due to a crash by rookie Kimi Antonelli, the rumours of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit gained fire. However, he did not lose his position in the driver’s standings and comfortably in third position. As he maintained this position after the Austrian Grand Prix 2025, the clause now becomes null and void, locking him up with Red Bull for 2026 and beyond.

Max Verstappen Now Stuck With Red Bull

Red Bull Confirms Max Verstappen Will Have To Proceed Without Any Major Upgrade — Max Verstappen (PC: GPFans)

So the good news is, Max Verstappen is now stuck with Red Bull for at least another year. Although Mercedes has held talks with Verstappen about a potential move for F1 2026, despite the current contract with Red Bull. These discussions were confirmed by both Toto Wolff and current driver George Russell. The existence of this performance clause was Verstappen’s only escape route, but with the clause now getting null and void, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull exit can now be entirely dismissed.

Driver’s Standings After The Austrian Grand Prix 2025

POS.	DRIVER	COUNTRY	TEAM	PTS.
1	Oscar Piastri	AUS	McLaren	216
2	Lando Norris	GBR	McLaren	201
3	Max Verstappen	NED	Red Bull Racing	155
4	George Russell	GBR	Mercedes	146
5	Charles Leclerc	MON	Ferrari	119
6	Lewis Hamilton	GBR	Ferrari	91
7	Kimi Antonelli	ITA	Mercedes	63
8	Alexander Albon	THA	Williams	42
9	Esteban Ocon	FRA	Haas	23
10	Nico Hulkenberg	GER	Kick Sauber	22
11	Isack Hadjar	FRA	Racing Bulls	21
12	Lance Stroll	CAN	Aston Martin	14
13	Fernando Alonso	ESP	Aston Martin	14
14	Carlos Sainz	ESP	Williams	13
15	Liam Lawson	NZL	Racing Bulls	12
16	Pierre Gasly	FRA	Alpine	11
17	Yuki Tsunoda	JPN	Red Bull Racing	10
18	Oliver Bearman	GBR	Haas	6
19	Gabriel Bortoleto	BRA	Kick Sauber	4
20	Franco Colapinto	ARG	Alpine	0
21	Jack Doohan	AUS	Alpine	0