What is Max Verstappen’s EXIT clause and why Red Bull should be worried

Max Verstappen’s long-term future at Red Bull Formula 1 team has been called into question of late, not least because Helmut Marko confirmed there are performance-based exit clauses within the champion’s contract.

Verstappen is not looking like he is going to be able to challenge for the drivers’ championship this year either, with Red Bull’s lack of pace seeing the Dutchman fall 49 points behind standings leader Oscar Piastri after the first nine rounds of the season.

Verstappen could potentially also have a race ban on the way for picking up too many penalty points across a 12-month period, something that would cause great concern for Red Bull for more reasons than one.

An exit clause in Verstappen’s mammoth contract – which technically speaking is set to last until the end of 2028 – reportedly allows him to leave Christian Horner’s F1 team if he is outside the top four in the championship after the 2025 Austrian GP.

Verstappen is currently sat in third, 26 points ahead of fourth-place George Russell, and 43 points ahead of fifth-place Charles Leclerc, with Canada and then Austria up next on the F1 calendar.

Will Verstappen receive F1 ban?

If Verstappen picks up one more penalty point at next weekend’s Canadian GP, he will be forced to miss the Austrian GP, not only causing a headache for Red Bull as to who will replace the four-time champion but also providing a chance for Leclerc and Russell to surmount Verstappen’s points total, leaving the champion at risk of dropping to fifth.

Former F1 racer Jan Lammers recently suggested Verstappen also wouldn’t mind missing the British GP, but surely the Dutchman would rather not pick up a race ban at all?