Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Formula 1
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has spoken about Max Verstappen's exit clause after the team's poor start to the 2025 campaign.
Although Verstappen's talent has dragged the problematic Red Bull car to top-four finishes at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, teammate Liam Lawson has struggled immensely.
The New Zealander crashed in Melbourne before finishing 12th in Shanghai, which led to Red Bull making the brutal decision to replace the 23-year-old.
Ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda has been promoted from sister team Racing Bulls to partner Verstappen.
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Meanwhile, Lawson will head back to RB and race alongside fellow rookie Isack Hadjar.
Heading into the new season, It was expected that Red Bull would find it difficult to keep pace with McLaren, who are the clear favourites to clinch the world title.
As a result of Red Bull's current struggles, Verstappen has been tipped to make a move away from the Milton Keynes-based team.
The Dutchman has so far been linked with the likes of Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Speaking recently, Red Bull advisor Marko revealed that Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract, which can be activated if the team's performances are not up to his standards.
As reported by Racing News 365, Marko told Formel 1.de.: "Of course every top driver has an exit clause if performance is not good.
"But they are all tuned differently. It's not an issue at the moment."
In addition to the problems surrounding the RB21, it has been claimed that Verstappen was not happy with the team's decision to replace Lawson.
As claimed by the Daily Mail, Verstappen is said to be 'shaken' by Lawson's sacking.
Explaining the decision to swap Lawson with Tsunoda, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.
"We came into the 2025 season, with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision."
