Red Bull Reportedly Offers Verstappen Improved Contract Through 2029 Without Exit Clause

Red Bull Racing is reportedly attempting to lock Max Verstappen down for the long haul with a revised contract running through the end of 2029. The proposed deal, revealed by Bild, would include a salary increase but notably strips away the performance-related exit clause currently allowing him to leave if he sits outside the top two by the summer break.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's future has fueled intense speculation amid Red Bull's competitive slump, with the Dutchman currently sixth in the standings and eligible to trigger his exit clause before mid-October. Removing that escape route while extending his stay an extra year would represent a major vote of confidence in the team and ease the uncertainty surrounding the sport's top talent.

The details:

• Current situation: Verstappen's existing 2028 contract contains a clause allowing him to leave if he is not in the top two by the summer break. With Red Bull off the pace of frontrunners, that condition is currently active.
• The new offer: Rather than buying out the clause, Red Bull proposes an entirely new agreement through 2029 with improved financial terms but no exit mechanism, binding Verstappen to the team regardless of championship position.
• Verstappen's stance: At the Hungaroring, the Dutchman downplayed any drama, stating there was "nothing going on" and calling the team "like a second family." He insisted his focus is solely on understanding the car and returning to winning ways.

What's next:

With Verstappen's camp having reportedly received the offer weeks ago and the mid-October deadline approaching, a decision looms large over the driver market. If he signs, Red Bull secures its franchise cornerstone through the 2026 regulations era; if he delays or declines, the paddock will brace for a potential blockbuster move.