Max Verstappen holds talks with rival F1 team as exit clause revealed

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has long been weighing up what life looks like after Red Bull, and reports now claim that he has 'initiated' talks with a rival team about a shock move.

Verstappen has been unsettled at Red Bull for some time now, and with another lacklustre start to the season due to an uncompetitive car, the Dutchman has been linked with a new move.

The rumour mill saw Verstappen Max Vertsappen inch very close to a Red Bull exit last year, with Mercedes looking like a done deal as he was spotted meeting Toto Wolff on his private yacht.

But a change in management at Red Bull, which saw Laurent Mekies replace Christian Horner, reignited Verstappen's season to the point where he was just one race away from overturning a 150-point deficit to win his fifth title.

Things haven't started well this season for Red Bull, though, and now Verstappen is eyeing an exit again.

Despite issuing an apology to their driver after the car failed in the Austrian Grand Prix and caused Verstappen to crash, he has now held talks with a bitter championship rival about joining them for next season.

Max Verstappen initiates talks with McLaren

With wandering eyes again in the 2026 season, Mercedes' Toto Wolff opened up the 'silly season' talks as he answered questions about Verstappen's future.

However, Mercedes doesn't look to be an option, as the championship-leading team 'don’t want to change things,' with teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli leading the charge and a trusted George Russel pioneering the team.

Instead, McLaren now looks to be in pole position to sign him.

According to Sky Sports, Max's camp has held a meeting with McLaren over a potential move.

"Sky Sports News understands that these talks were initiated by Verstappen's representatives," Sky said.

Reporter Craig Slater said, "There has been a meeting with his management and McLaren management, and it was instigated by Max's people.

"They are not doing that well this year, but Max knows they know how to build a winning car."

Red Bull is pulling out all of the stops to keep their main driver, who is contracted to them until 2028.

The esteemed team reportedly has a buy-out clause, though, which could be initiated by the driver.

Still, Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, claims that a deal has not been made.

"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.”

If the move does happen, it would mean either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri making way.

Red Bull is reportedly prepared for this eventuality, though, and has identified their replacement.