Max Verstappen faces an uncertain future with Red Bull and in Formula 1 amid links to Mercedes.
Red Bull are reportedly “unhappy” after holding talks with Max Verstappen about the Formula 1 driver’s contract, amid ongoing speculation surrounding his future with the team and in Formula 1.
According to a report from Planet F1, Verstappen and Red Bull held a meeting in Austria before the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, with discussions focusing on a clause in the Dutch driver’s contract.
It has been suggested that Verstappen’s agreement contains a release clause that could be activated if he is not among the top two drivers in the championship standings by the end of the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26. If triggered, the clause would allow the 28-year-old to leave Red Bull despite being contracted until 2028.
The report further claims that Red Bull attempted to persuade Verstappen to remove the clause from his contract. However, the four-time world champion reportedly rejected the request, a decision said to have left Red Bull shareholders “unhappy.”
The latest development comes as speculation continues to link Verstappen with a future move to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher recently claimed that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff made a secret offer to Verstappen, although the proposal was reportedly turned down.
Verstappen’s agent, Raymond Vermeulen, recently confirmed that the driver’s Red Bull contract includes release clauses but emphasized their commitment to the team.
“We want the decision made soon so everyone knows where they stand. It could be made before the summer break,” Vermeulen told German media.
“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.”
On the track, Verstappen has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season. The reigning world champion currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings, 101 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes after just six races.
Despite his struggles, Verstappen secured a fourth-place finish at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix last weekend, an improvement on the previous race in Monaco, where he failed to finish after experiencing a car issue at the start.
Verstappen will return to action next week when the Austrian Grand Prix takes place at the Red Bull Ring.