Verstappen has 'exit clause' if Honda under-perform - report

Max Verstappen will be able to activate an exit clause in his Red Bull contract if Honda are unable to deliver suitable performance levels, according to reports in Italian magazine Autosprint. Red Bull have been unable to keep pace with Mercedes and Ferrari in recent years due to Renault's inability to deliver enough horsepower.

The 2019 season will bring great changes to Red Bull, not only a new power unit, but also a new driver, with Pierre Gasly set to replace Daniel Ricciardo as Verstappen's team-mate.

Ricciardo will transfer to the Renault works team, a decision that has clearly baffled many at Milton Keynes - both Verstappen and Christian Horner have cast doubt on the decision.

Honda endured a miserable three years with McLaren after returning to Formula 1, but a switch to Toro Rosso has helped repair the Japanese marque's reputation somewhat.

Gasly drove to a flawless fourth place in Bahrain, a better result than McLaren managed in three years, with world champions Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

Verstappen recently spoke of his certainty that Honda's 2019-spec power unit will deliver suitable performance, although Red Bull do not expect a title challenge until 2020 - the final year of Verstappen's contract.

It has now emerged in Autosprint that if Honda are unable to deliver on their promises to Red Bull then he may be able to walk away, although there is no suggestion over exactly what would prompt the clause to be activated.

If Red Bull do struggle, it would likely catch the attention of Mercedes, who have previously tried to entice Verstappen away from the Red Bull stable.

Toto Wolff has previously suggested that the Silver Arrows could target a move for the Dutchman in 2021 when Formula 1 will undergo a major change as Liberty media introduce a raft of regulation changes.