Red Bull’s dominant run has officially ended as the team endures a ten-race winless drought. The Milton Keynes-based outfit has been unable to clinch any silverware since the Spa race (apart from the sprint victory in Austin). The shoddy performance is an amalgamation of internal scuffle and technical worries. To make matters worse, the rivals have turned the tides with exceptional upgrade plans. As a result, the Bulls have been pushed back to the third spot as Ferrari and McLaren take over the Constructors standings.
Red Bull fears losing its world title, but that isn’t their biggest concern. Max Verstappen, who has repeatedly emphasized that all he needs is a competitive car, may consider parting ways with the Austrian side. The Dutchman is not focused on longevity; rather, eying a short but impactful run. This is the reason he has not downplayed a potential swap. With Red Bull going downhill, Mercedes could lure Verstappen ahead of the 2026 regulatory revamp.
Is Red Bull Constant Struggle Forcing Max Verstappen To Revoke “Exit Clause”?
The rumor that Max Verstappen is looking for a change has been swirling around the paddock since RBR’s internal mayhem. Although he has a long-term contract with the Bulls, which runs until 2028, the current woes might end his contract prematurely. As per a report by The Times, the 27-year-old racer has a “performance clause” in his contract, which could facilitate a smooth exit from the team. Former Red Bull champion Sebastian Vettel used a similar “exit clause” in 2015 to move to Ferrari after the team failed to design an impactful car.
Mercedes and Toto Wolff have been the biggest admirers of Verstappen, going so far as to arange a meeting with the Dutchman’s manager. The Silver Arrows will lose a seven-time world champion next year as Lewis Hamilton moves to Ferrari. Therefore, the team needs someone like Verstappen to steer them toward their world-title ambition. Mercedes’s driver’s lineup is currently inexperienced, and with George Russell’s contract ending in 2025, the German Marque might reconstruct the team. However, these are all rumors and speculations until Red Bull or Max Verstappen officially accepts the existence of any such performance clause.
“That’s Not How F1 Works,” Max Verstappen’s ‘Unsteady’ Stand Amid F1 Future Speculations
In June, Max Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the Red Bull team, emphasizing that a sudden exit doesn’t work in Formula One. Verstappen also talked about the team’s long contract and shared his willingness to stay with the outfit until the end of his F1 career. The Dutchman highlighted his focus on the upcoming RBR’s F1 project as he worked with the team to develop a competitive car.
