Max Verstappen is now assured to be positioned within the prime three within the drivers’ championship for the F1 summer time break – that means he can’t activate an exit clause in his Crimson Bull contract.
The Dutchman’s fourth-place end within the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday signifies that he’s presently positioned in third, 28 factors forward of Charles Leclerc on the earth championship.
With only one race to go earlier than the summer time break, this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen can not end beneath the highest three. As such, an exit clause in Verstappen’s £50m-a-year contract – which he can activate if he’s decrease than third within the drivers’ standings by the summer time break – can’t be triggered.
Verstappen, 27, could possibly be purchased out of his contract by any potential suitor, together with Mercedes, however that seems extraordinarily unlikely.
Regardless, Verstappen hinted at Spa that he’s more likely to keep at Crimson Bull for 2026, regardless of the group’s underperformance this season.
Consequently, George Russell appears set to remain at Mercedes for at the least the 2026 season, with talks anticipated to get underway shortly.
The size of any new deal for the British driver, whether or not it’s a one-year extension or a multi-year contract, stays to be seen.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted his “absolute precedence” was conserving his present driver line-up of Russell and Kimi Antonelli for subsequent season.
In the meantime, Verstappen gained the Belgian GP dash race on Saturday, Crimson Bull’s first win beneath new group principal Laurent Mekies, and insisted he was trying ahead to working with the ex-Ferrari engineer, who changed Christian Horner as group boss three weeks in the past.
“I get alongside very properly with him, in order that’s already a bonus,” Verstappen stated.
“Hopefully, we are able to proceed to strengthen our relationship within the coming weeks and months.”
Verstappen now trails championship chief Oscar Piastri by 81 factors with 11 races left, as prospects of a fifth consecutive title seem like slipping away.
