Verstappen exit clause activates after Hungarian GP
Max Verstappen can leave Red Bull at the end of 2026 because he sits outside the top two in the drivers championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix summer break. His contract runs to 2028 but contains performance clauses that allow early exit.
Clause triggers post-Hungaroring
Max Verstappen holds a Red Bull contract through 2028 that includes performance-related exit clauses. Those clauses permit him to depart at the end of 2026 if he fails to finish second or higher in the drivers championship by the summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix.[1]
Verstappen currently sits seventh in the championship. With only two races remaining before the break, he cannot reach the required position. The clause therefore activates after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Implications for 2026 season
Related reading
[1]: https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/49376433/verstappen-refuses-commit-red-bull-2026-amid-growing-mclaren-exit-rumours
- [1]Verstappen refuses to commit to Red Bull past 2026 amid growing McLaren exit rumours (espn). Accessed 2026-07-22.