Red Bull take drastic action to stop Max Verstappen triggering exit clause as decision deadline named

Red Bull have reportedly taken drastic action in their attempts to take control over Max Verstappen's future with the team.

Verstappen currently sits seventh in the season rankings after he finished fourth in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix over the weekend.

It means the 28-year-old is already an enormous 101 points behind runaway leader Kimi Antonelli and a further 60 points behind Lewis Hamilton, who sits second in the leaderboard after the first seven races of the season.

While a poor start to the season is never ideal, it is even more of an issue regarding the four-time world champion due to a hidden clause in his current contract.

Although he is currently contracted until 2028, Verstappen reportedly has an option in his current Red Bull Racing deal that would allow him to mutually terminate the contract if he is not in the top two when the season stops for a summer break.

With the Dutch-Belgian racing driver so far down the leaderboard, it seems highly likely he would fulfil the criteria for an early contract termination, though he has previously stated he intends to see out the remainder of the deal.

Red Bull take drastic action over Verstappen future

It is understood Red Bull management privately accepts that Verstappen won't be in the top two when the season pauses for the summer break and they are well aware they have lost control over his future.

A report from Sport Bild claim Red Bull aim to 'buy out' his contract clause and are prepared to pay a huge figure so that he will waive the agreement.

Even if he does not extend the length of his contract, Red Bull hopes to at least remove the option for him to cut short his deal and take back control.

Either way, it appears there should soon be clarity on his situation. Vertsappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, also indicated there could be an official announcement before the summer break next month.

“We want the decision made soon so everyone knows where they stand,” he told Sport Bild. “It could be made before the summer break.”

Vermeulen added that Verstappen would like to see out his contract at Red Bull, but only if they believe he has a chance of winning races again.

He continued: “We have a contract until 2028. Of course, there are release clauses, there always have been. But we’ve never exercised one. We’ve always been loyal and we will remain so.”

“We want to continue down the path with Red Bull and see Max finish his career here – but of course with the possibility of winning.”

There are still four races until the summer break, starting with the Austrian Grand Prix next week. Drivers then take part in the British, Belgian and Hungarian race weekends before the season pauses for almost a month.

With four Grand Prixs and a Sprint still to go, there are a maximum of 108 points up for grabs, which all but ends any chance of Verstappen overhauling the huge gap between himself and Hamilton.