Formula 1 News: Verstappen has more team choices after 2026

Max Verstappen is now locked in at Red Bull for at least the 2026 season after the exit clause in the Dutchman’s contract expired after the Belgian Grand Prix.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

However, that is a silver lining because it gives Verstappen the chance to see which car is best under the radical 2026 design regulations.

It is rumored that Verstappen has an exit clause that is easier to reach in 2026 compared to 2025, as he can leave Red Bull if he hits the summer outside the top two in next year’s standings.

Former Haas F1 Team Boss Guenther Steiner told sport.de: “I think the deciding factor for staying is that he doesn’t know which team will be strong next season. Switching now and signing a three-year contract with a team, and then maybe sitting in the wrong car next year, that risk was too great for him.

His choices after 2026 are as follows:

1. Replace Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes. Antonelli is underperforming and will likely only get a 1-year extension. The Mercedes board has already told Toto Wolff to pay Verstappen whatever it takes to get him.

2. Replace old man Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin if Adrian Newey designs another winning car. A long-term $1.2 billion offer is reportedly on the table

Max Verstappen. Are the rumors true? Will he sign with Aston Martin?

3. Replace old man Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari Hamilton’s contract expires after 2026 and he is not performing as Ferrari expected.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing talks with Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari prior to the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

4. Stay with Red Bull If, by some miracle, the Red Bull Ford engine is good and Pierre Wache finally designs a well handling car

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal at Oracle Red Bull Racing, with Pierre Waché, Technical Director at Red Bull Racing and lead designer of the RB20 and RB21 dogs during the Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps 24-27 July 2025 Formula 1 World Championship 2025.

5. Replace Lando Norris at McLaren Zak Brown already inquired about Verstappen’s services, Rob Marshall designs unbeatable F1 cars, and Lando Norris does not appear to have what it takes to be a World Champion.