Max Verstappen move to new F1 team thrown into doubt as 'too smart' claim made

Max Verstappen's whereabouts in the 2027 Formula 1 season has become the subject of much speculation owing to a reported release clause in his contract with Red Bull.

Verstappen has been embroiled in a tense partnership with his team this season, complaining frequently about issues with his Red Bull car that have left him in seventh place in the drivers' standings and with only two podium finishes to his name in 2026.

The 28-year-old has an arsenal of exit clauses in his Red Bull contract, which is due to expire after the 2028 F1 season.

As relations chill further, one of those clauses has come into effect.

Sitting 78 places behind George Russell with Formula 1's summer shutdown now two races away, last week's British Grand Prix at Silverstone – a DNF for Verstappen, who was bound for the podium – confirmed that he cannot enter the break in the top two.

Talk of a switch to another of the sport's top teams has been feverish despite all of them having two full seats. Various reports have indicated that a shock move to Mercedes, McLaren or Ferrari could be on the cards.

A blockbuster swap deal that takes him to McLaren with Oscar Piastri has been mooted and is among the most convincing outcomes.

The unsettled four-time world champion is understood to have spoken to McLaren but Mercedes are believed to be more than happy to roll with Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli for the foreseeable future.

According to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, the Brackley team's boss is too streetwise to pull the trigger on a move with limited upside for Mercedes but fraught with risk.

In an appearance on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner said: "If [Verstappen] doesn't like Red Bull, there are places where he can go, but they don't have the money to pay him, and they don't have the car he wants.

"Why would Mercedes take him? Mercedes has got the next superstar and a very good driver in George.

"So why would you spend more money to get Max in? The only way Max would come in is if George leaves.

"He costs a lot more than George and would maybe unsettle Kimi. Why would he do that? And Toto [Wolff] is too smart to do that, in my opinion, and it costs a lot more"

Verstappen and Red Bull are approaching a critical moment

The Formula 1 schedule takes Verstappen and Red Bull to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend before the pre-shutdown calendar ends at the Hungaroring on July 26.

With two races left before the mid-point of the season, Italian teenager Antonelli leads the championship chase with 179 points but has failed to score in two of the last three Grands Prix.

Teammate Russell is 25 points behind him with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton a further seven points back as he and Scuderia teammate Charles Leclerc reap the rewards of the team's upgrades.

Hamilton claimed his first Ferrari win in Barcelona before finishing third behind winner Leclerc and compatriot Russell at Silverstone last Sunday.

Verstappen has 79 points and is also behind Leclerc, Lando Norris and Piastri after nine rounds.