Max Verstappen's Red Bull Future Hinges on Spanish Grand Prix

Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing for 2026 might be locked in this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, as a key clause in his contract nears its deadline. Sources close to Autosport suggest that the four-time Formula 1 world champion, currently sitting third in the drivers’ standings, needs to stay in the top four by the end of the Austrian Grand Prix to ensure he remains with Red Bull.

• Verstappen’s 2026 Red Bull stay hinges on staying top four—Barcelona could seal the deal early
• If Max keeps a 50-point lead after Spain, Red Bull locks him in for 2026, nullifying his exit clause
• With transfer rumors swirling, Verstappen’s Spanish GP result may silence talks of a Mercedes switch

Verstappen, whose contract runs until 2028, is 57 points ahead of fifth-placed Charles Leclerc. If he keeps a 50-point gap over whoever’s in fifth after this weekend’s race, the exit clause in his contract will no longer apply, tying him to Red Bull for 2026. This clause was reworked after last year’s internal drama at Red Bull, which also removed a condition that would’ve let Verstappen leave if his advisor, Helmut Marko, exited the team.

Rumors about Verstappen’s next move have been buzzing. Last winter, there was talk of a big offer from Aston Martin, but that chatter has quieted down. More recently, speculation has linked him to Mercedes, especially since George Russell’s contract renewal with the team is taking longer than expected. Russell, currently fourth in the standings, has been performing strongly in 2025, boosting his value as he negotiates with Mercedes. However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff insists everything is on track, saying, “George and I are completely aligned, and there’s no dragging this out.”

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With the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June marking the deadline for Verstappen’s exit clause, his performance in Barcelona could secure his Red Bull future with two races to spare. As the championship fight heats up, fans and teams alike are watching closely to see if Verstappen can hold his spot and shut down any chance of a move to a rival team.