Max Verstappen's manager drops biggest hint yet over Red Bull future

Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen may have revealed where if we should expect to see the Dutchman leave Red Bull in the near future.

For over a year now the biggest story in Formula One has arguably been centred on the future of four-time champion Verstappen.

The Red Bull star has long been linked with a spectacular switch to Mercedes, with more recent reports suggesting that he was considering an early retirement due to his disliking of the current regulations.

Rumours appeared to die down a couple of weeks into the season but as Red Bull's disappointing start to 2026 continues to drag on, rumours of Verstappen joining a rival team have started to resurface.

After seven race weekends, the Dutchman is current sitting in seventh place in the drivers’ standings with just one podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, leaving him 101 points behind championship leader and Kimi Antonelli.

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This has led to a recirculation of the information that the 28-year-old has an exit clause included in his Red Bull contract that would allow him to leave at the end of the season should be finish lower than second in the standings.

As it stands, Verstappen is 60 points behind second-placed Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking about the clause, Verstappen's manager Vermeulen told Bild: “We have a contract until 2028. Of course, there are exit clauses; there always have been. But we’ve never exercised one."

However, Red Bull fans will be relieved to hear that Vermeulen confirmed that it is his and Verstappen's hope to end his Formula 1 career with the Milton Keynes team.

He added: “On the contrary, we’ve always been loyal and will remain so.

"We want to continue on this path with Red Bull and for Max to end his career here – but, of course, with the chance to win.”

Max Verstappen's manager sets date to decide future as secret meetings held

Vermeulen's update comes after reports that Verstappen and his representatives held meetings with Red Bull to discuss his future ahead of last weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix.

Red Bull GmbH co-owners Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya, and Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of Red Bull GmbH, were present at the meeting.

But amid reports that Verstappen has already received an offer from Mercedes, Red Bull may not have long to tie down their star driver to a new deal, ahead of his current one expiring at the end of the 2028 season.

“We’d like the decision to be made soon so that everyone knows where they stand,” Vermeulen said.

“It could be made before the summer break.”

According to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the offer from Mercedes was lowball offer with team boss Toto Wolff already satisfied that he has a future world champion in Antonelli.