German media reports have revealed that Red Bull are willing to offer Max Verstappen a contract extension running through to 2029, with significant changes to his existing deal.
Verstappen headed into the summer break without making any public declaration about his future, leaving Red Bull in an uncomfortable state of uncertainty heading into the second half of the season.
The four-time world champion is currently contracted to race for Red Bull until the end of 2028, but his future has been clouded by discontent over the new regulations introduced this season.
The departure of his long-serving race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren further fuelled speculation that Verstappen could be tempted into seeking a new challenge elsewhere on the grid.
Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen has recently reaffirmed that his driver has remained loyal to Red Bull, attempting to quell the persistent transfer rumours swirling around the paddock.
Options at rival teams are becoming increasingly limited, with McLaren’s driver lineup appearing locked in for 2027 and Mercedes already committed to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
German outlet BILD has reported that Red Bull have now presented Verstappen with a new contract proposal that would keep him at the team through to 2029, restructuring the terms of his current agreement.
The crucial element of this reported offer is the removal of the exit clauses that have previously been embedded in Verstappen’s deal, with a significant pay rise offered as compensation for surrendering that flexibility.
BILD also reported that no discussions ever took place regarding buying out Verstappen’s performance-based clauses, contradicting earlier paddock rumours that Red Bull management had been split on the matter.
Verstappen’s current basic salary reportedly sits at around 65 million euros per year, and Red Bull are said to be considering bumping that figure upward as part of the incentive package.
The exit clause in his existing contract is believed to have been activated already, given that Verstappen sits sixth in the drivers’ standings following the summer break, having failed to finish in the top two.
That position means Verstappen is technically free to trigger an early departure from the team at any point between now and October, adding considerable urgency to Red Bull’s reported contract push.
Unless Verstappen’s management team engage with this new offer from the energy drink giants, the door to an early Red Bull exit remains firmly open for the reigning champion.