A driver in the F1 grid has the ability to trigger a release clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, as rumours of a move to Mercedes intensify.
It was recently reported that Verstappen and Mercedes are in increasingly advanced conversations to bring the four-time world champion to the team. The Dutchman is under contract until 2028, making the move more difficult.
But a clause in his contract can be triggered by the end of July, which would make Verstappen’s move to Mercedes easier, and his heated rival is the frontrunner to do it.
George Russell can trigger a release clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract
If Verstappen is outside of the top four in the Drivers’ standings by the end of July, it will trigger a release clause in his Red Bull contract, which would allow him to leave if he chooses, as reported by Craig Slater on Sky Sports.
There is also a clause that would allow him to leave if his team is lower than third in the Constructors’ standings, as reported by former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, who told Ziggo Sport’s Race Café on June 30th that he is “100,000% sure” it exists.
Red Bull are currently fourth in the Constructors’ standings, behind Mercedes, who now have every incentive to keep them there. Verstappen is currently third in the Drivers’ standings, and the man behind Verstappen is Mercedes’ George Russell who has a heated history with Verstappen.
| Position | Drivers' Championship | Points |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | 216 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | 201 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | 155 |
| 4 | George Russell | 146 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | 119 |
Verstappen lost his cool in Spain, crashing into Russell in one of the latest incidents between the pair. They’ve entered a dispute in Canada after Russell appeared to brake-check him under the safety car, and they have had countless confrontations and collisions over the past two seasons.
Russell won in Canada and gained points after Verstappen’s crash with Kimi Antonelli, again of Mercedes, in Austria. In normal circumstances, he’d be motivated to hunt his rival down in the standings, but there’s a conflict of interests at play here.
George Russell may not want to beat Max Verstappen
Russell is the most likely to be replaced by Verstappen at Mercedes. His teammate, Antonelli, is a young wonderkid, tipped to be a future world champion and potentially one of F1’s all-time greats.
Mercedes has invested a lot into Antonelli during his junior career, and while the board still have reservations about replacing Russell since he is one of the best F1 drivers on the grid, it appears that Team Principal Toto Wolff is open to it.
Russell spoke openly and maturely about his team’s talks with Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix.
He told Sky Sports, “As Mercedes, they want to be back on top, and if you’re going to be back on top, you need to make sure you’ve got the best drivers, the best engineers, the best pit crew, and that’s what Mercedes are chasing.
“So, it’s only normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing.”
But the Brit is only human, and does he really want to make it easier for his team to replace him? It certainly threatens the sport’s integrity, since it’s against Russell’s best interests to beat Verstappen and Red Bull in both championships should he want to keep his seat.
The 26-year-old has been the epitome of professionalism since taking the leading role at Mercedes, when Lewis Hamilton left for Ferrari, and he’ll try to get the most out of the car every weekend.
However, it can’t be helpful for him to know that good performances and results could ultimately hurt him.