Max Verstappen Spotted in Mercedes Test as Red Bull Exit Clause Revealed

Max Verstappen has been filmed testing a Mercedes following the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Earlier in the month, Verstappen's four-year stint as F1 champion came to an end, with McLaren star Lando Norris winning his first-ever title.

Despite a monumental comeback during the second half of the season, Verstappen ended up two points behind the Brit.

Last week, Verstappen was scheduled to be at the FIA Awards ceremony, which was held in Uzbekistan.

However, the 28-year-old had to pull out due to suffering from the flu.

While F1 is currently on the back burner, Verstappen has been spotted driving a Mercedes in a test session.

According to Endurance-Info, Verstappen was driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in Estoril, Portugal, with 2 Seas Motorsport, the team that 'took care of the commitment of the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO / Verstappen.com in GT World Challenge Europe'.

It has been claimed that Verstappen was joined by official Mercedes-AMG driver Jules Gounon.

max verstappen today in a rainy Estoril testing gt3 👀

driving a Mercedes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jHKaSYGYO8

— Ana 🦁 (@maxvcalloway) December 16, 2025

Over the last few months, Verstappen's future has been a major talking point in the F1 paddock.

Max Verstappen Red Bull exit clause revealed

Recently, it was revealed that Verstappen had an exit clause in his Red Bull deal that allowed him to leave alongside Helmut Marko, who left the company after the 2025 season.

Marko had a close relationship with Verstappen and his family - with it being reported last year that the Dutchman had an exit clause in his contract that would allow him to depart Red Bull alongside Marko.

Marko himself admitted the existence of the clause in December 2024 - while confirming it had been removed.

He told De Telegraaf (via Motorsport Week): "The clause was changed or removed to lay a foundation for a successful company for the near future. He [Verstappen] is one of the greatest sportsmen in the world, earns a lot of money, but above all he sticks to his principles. That hasn't changed since he was 14 years old."