Max Verstappen Red Bull exit clause emerges as the driver could have a Sebastian Vettel-like exit from the Austrian team: Reports

It is being reported that Red Bull driver Max Verstappen could activate an exit clause similar to former four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to leave the Austrian team in 2026. The three-time world champion's future with the Milton-Keynes outfit has been in the news since the beginning of the 2024 season despite him having a long-term contract.

The 27-year-old signed a new deal with Red Bull at the end of the 2021 season that would see him race for the team until the end of the 2028 season. However, as per The Times, the reigning world champion has a "performance-based" exit clause in his contract that could see him leave in 2026 amid interest from Aston Martin and Mercedes.

Four-time world champion Vettel had a similar exit clause in his Red Bull contract in 2014 which he activated to move to Ferrari in 2015.

Mercedes and Toto Wolff did not hide their intentions to sign Verstappen for the 2025 season to replace Lewis Hamilton but eventually settled for Kimi Antonelli after the Dutch driver stayed put with the Austrian team. Aston Martin has also emerged as an option after it signed an engine deal with Honda for the 2026 engine regulations while also adding Adrian Newey to its stable from next year.

It is worth noting that neither Max Verstappen nor Red Bull have officially commented on any such exit clauses as of now.

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Max Verstappen spoke about his future with Red Bull

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen stated in June 2024 that he is "happy" with his current standing in the sport despite rumors of interest from Mercedes.

"I don't think that's how Formula 1 works where then suddenly you could say 'well, bye guys! It's not how it works. I've got a long contract with the team, I'm very happy where I'm at, and, as I said before, we are focusing already on next year with things that we can implement on the car.

"So, I guess that should say enough of where I'm driving next year. I mean, ok, yes. But that's what I said, we are already also working on next year's car. I think when you are very focused on that that means you are also driving for the team," Max Verstappen said to Sky Sports.

Verstappen is the favorite to win his fourth successive world championship with Red Bull in 2024 as he is 57 points ahead of McLaren driver Lando Norris in the standings with five races and two Sprints remaining this year.

Despite not winning since the Spanish GP in late June, the Red Bull driver has maintained a substantial advantage in terms of points over Norris.