'Verstappen handed clear message over Red Bull future amid contract uncertainty'
12:00, 21 Jun
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Kieran Lynch
The future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull is very much under question after a difficult start to the 2026 season, and GPblog readers have had their say on whether he should leave Red Bull.
Verstappen's agent, Raymond Vermeulen, has confirmed that it is not 100 hundred per cent certain that the four-time world champion will stay at Red Bull. His team are also reportedly considering buying out the clause that would allow Verstappen to leave.
The clause looks likely to take affect, with Verstappen unlikely to be inside the top two in the drivers' standings by the time of the Hungarian Grand Prix - four races away. Verstappen is currently seventh in the standings, 60 points behind Lewis Hamilton who currently occupies second spot.
GPblog readers have their say on Max Verstappen's future
With comments from Verstappen's agent only adding to the speculation surrounding his future, it was put to GPblog readers whether the Dutchman should stay at or leave Red Bull.
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And the readers have had their say with 65.9% of readers voting for Verstappen to leave Red Bull, compared to the 34.1% who believe he should remain with the team he has been driving for since 2016. As ever, there was more to be said in the comments, with split opinions as to whether the four-time world champion should stay or leave.
"I would actually like to see Verstappen leave RB. And just so that we see him in a different car to the one he is used to. And also it would be really interesting to see where he lands. Merc? Who is out of Merc :D ? Ferrari? Doubt it, but possible. Aston Martin? Other?"
"His answer is as simple as that to stay at Red Bull - give him a car capable of winning, and not necessarily the fastest, but within 2 tenths of the fastest car, when both cars (RB22 and fastest car in this case) are driven by the same driver. Rest leave it to him to do the job."
Read also
Vermeulen on Verstappen's future
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In a conversation with Sport Bild, Vermeulen provided more details: “We have a contract until 2028. Of course there are clauses that would allow us to leave; those have always been there. But we have never used them. On the contrary, we have always been loyal and we will remain loyal. We want to continue on the path with Red Bull and make sure that Max finishes his career here.”
Verstappen's agent indicated that they want to be considerate of the team: “We want a decision to be made soon, so that everyone knows where they stand. The decision could be made before the summer break.”
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