Good news for the Red Bull management: Max Verstappen will continue to race for the Austrians until 2026. The performance clause that could have allowed the Dutchman to exit his long-term contract reportedly cannot be triggered after the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen is currently in the top three of the drivers’ championship and cannot lose his third place to George Russell before the summer break.
The Mercedes driver, currently in fourth place, is 28 World Championship points behind, more than the number of points a driver can win with a Grand Prix victory. According to De Telegraaf, Max Verstappen could only have exited his contract, which runs until 2028, if he had been outside the top three during the summer break.
Mercedes
The same Mercedes, and especially team boss Toto Wolff, made no secret of their desire to contract the four-time world champion, but are now also prioritizing their current line-up of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. It is expected that Mercedes will soon announce a contract extension with both drivers. However, the duration of this contract extension remains a question. Wolff seemed to leave the door ajar for Verstappen at Spa-Francorchamps.
