Button: Verstappen's Manager Right to Talk to Rival F1 Teams

Jenson Button has backed Max Verstappen's manager for holding talks with rival Formula 1 teams, insisting the four-time champion will have options despite his Red Bull contract running through 2028. With the Milton Keynes squad unable to sustain a genuine title challenge and a steady stream of high-profile departures unsettling the garage, the 2009 world champion described the atmosphere around Verstappen as "very strange."

Why it matters:

Red Bull is no longer the benchmark team it once was, and retaining its star driver has become an uphill battle. Verstappen's trusted inner circle has fractured, highlighted by race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase's imminent move to McLaren. Button argues that when a driver's closest allies head for the exit, shopping around isn't just smart—it's essential to protect his career.

The details:

• Exit clause: Verstappen is locked in until 2028, but he reportedly holds an option to trigger a release for the 2027 season, putting Red Bull on the clock.
• McLaren speculation: With Mercedes publicly ruling itself out, McLaren has emerged as the most talked-about destination, even though both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are under long-term contracts.
• RB22 concerns: The car's erratic form has been worsened by a controversial rear wing that Verstappen called "super dangerous" after back-to-back accidents in successive rounds at Silverstone.
• Brain drain: Lambiase's exit is part of a broader talent hemorrhage, stripping away the technical and personal foundations that underpinned Verstappen's championship success.

What's next:

The rumors will persist until Red Bull produces a front-running car or Verstappen publicly commits his future. Button hinted that existing driver contracts might not prove ironclad if a true marquee opening appears. If the RB22 doesn't improve quickly and the personnel exodus continues, Verstappen could force an early departure that fundamentally reshapes the 2027 driver market.