Red Bull confirms: Verstappen has escape clause

Max Verstappen extended his contract at Red Bull Racing a month ago, keeping him at the team until 2028. It marked yet another multi-million dollar contract for the 24-year-old Dutchman. As in his previous commitments, manager Raymond Vermeulen and Verstappen had an escape clause included.

The reigning world champion seemed to be taking a risk with such a long-term contract, as the season had not even started yet. The 2022 start was of great importance, as Formula 1 will continue to run under these regulations for the next few years. If Red Bull had been in a position like Mercedes' right now, Verstappen might have been scratching his head.

Fortunately, that is not the case, but despite the fact that the majority of the rules in the premier class of motor sport will remain the same, it is possible that Red Bull will miss the mark. In that case Verstappen has an escape to leave the Austrian racing stable, as advisor Helmut Marko acknowledges to the German Formel1.de. It is not the first time there is a clause in Verstappen's contract that allows for an early termination of the contract.

New engines for F1 in 2026

In 2014, when the hybrid era was ushered in, Red Bull was totally unable to match Mercedes' power sources when the new engines were introduced. Marko explains that should a similar situation arise in, say, 2026 when Formula 1 will be driven under new engine regulations, Verstappen could get out of his current contract.

In 2026 Red Bull Powertrains will come up with its own power unit for Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri. Some 50 employees have been taken over from Mercedes in recent times to work on the ambitious engine project. The Austrians seem to have enough knowledge in house, but it will remain to be seen whether they can match renowned brands such as Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes.