Sky F1 presenter Simon Lazenby has revealed that many media personnel within the Formula 1 paddock believe that Max Verstappen’s exit from Red Bull has already been decided.

Verstappen is contracted with the team until at least the end of 2028, but Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko recently revealed there were exit clauses in Verstappen’s deal, and after the Bahrain Grand Prix admitted ‘great concern’ over Verstappen’s future.

Verstappen brilliantly claimed a pole position-race victory double at the Japanese GP, but sits eight points behind early championship leader Lando Norris after a sixth-place finish at the Bahrain GP.

Will Verstappen leave Red Bull?

Both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli’s contracts are set to expire at the end of this season, but it’s understood that Russell is on the verge of signing a new two-year deal, while 18-year-old Antonelli has made a brilliant start to his debut season in the sport.

The regulation changes for the 2026 season are potentially set to see a shakeup in the competitive order, making both Mercedes and Aston Martin attractive prospects for Verstappen, if he wants to roll the dice in the hope of claiming another world championship.