The future of Max Verstappen in Formula 1 remains uncertain. Recently, journalist Ralf Bach from F1-Insider, revealed that Red Bull had offered the four-time world champion a five-year contract, which would keep the driver at the Milton Keynes team until 2033.
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Currently, the Dutchman’s contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, but there is an exit clause. Since Verstappen is not among the top two drivers in the championship halfway through the season, he would have until October to inform the team if he intends to leave. According to the portal, Red Bull offered €8 million to buy out the clause, but the proposal was refused.
In July, the German newspaper Bild had reported that Red Bull was preparing a new offer, with an additional year on the contract, a salary increase, and no exit clause. Now, Bach states that the team has extended the proposal to five years:
“Red Bull made him an offer to stay on a long-term basis. I heard it is for five years with a lot of money. But he does not want to give up that exit clause, if he is going to give it up at all,” said the journalist.
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“And, if anything, he wants to sign an alternative one-year contract, which means he will be driving for Red Bull again in 2027 to see if Newey’s successors, who haven’t quite managed so far, can build him a car that allows him to win races and fight for the title. And if not, then at the end of 2027, he will decide: ‘Am I leaving, do I still want to be in Formula 1?’ If yes, he probably won’t want to stay at Red Bull.”
Bach also pointed out possible moves involving Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari, especially when other drivers’ contracts expire: “And, where do I go from there? Because there are new contracts expiring. Something might happen at Mercedes, definitely at McLaren, and at Ferrari too. And I think he wants to wait and see for now,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Verstappen maintains the stance that he is focused on Red Bull, despite criticisms of the “un-drivable” RB22 and the new F1 regulations.
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