Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, is expected to continue racing for Red Bull at least through the 2026 Formula 1 season. While the 2024 season hasn’t gone as smoothly for him as previous years — due in large part to a car that isn't as dominant — Verstappen's position going into the summer break has closed the door on a potential early contract exit.
His current contract with Red Bull runs through the end of 2028. However, a special clause allowed him to terminate the deal early if he failed to rank in the top three by the summer break. This clause had fueled intense speculation about a possible move to Mercedes, especially in recent months.
With the Belgian Grand Prix confirming his spot in the top three before the break, Verstappen can no longer activate that exit clause for 2026. As a result, he is locked into Red Bull for at least one more season.
Nonetheless, Verstappen remains interested in exploring his options for 2027, especially given the upcoming regulation changes in 2026 that could reshuffle the competitive order. Red Bull may retain him for now, but the Dutch driver is likely to keep all avenues open when it comes to shaping his long-term future in Formula 1.