close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Verstappen has a contract 'performance clause', confirms Red Bull

Photo: © LAT Images

Verstappen has a contract 'performance clause', confirms Red Bull

Mercedes are circling the Dutchman.

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen has a 'performance clause' in his contract with the team and admitted that Mercedes have been in regular contact with the Dutchman about his future.

The exciting 21-year-old signed a contract extension with Red Bull at the end of the 2017 season, and 2018 proved testing as car reliability and poor decision-making cost Verstappen in more than one race.

He has been frustrated with Red Bull's lack of pace in the first two races of 2019, leading to speculation that he may be considering his future. And speaking to AutoBild, Marko stated that there is indeed an option for Verstappen to move on and that Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is in regular contact.

He said: "There is certainly a performance clause in Max's contract. Toto Wolff regularly calls him and his father, Jos.

"I am relaxed about it. He feels good with us and if we give him world championship material, I will not worry that he will stay."

It is unclear what exactly the clause is, but Sebastian Vettel had one in 2014 which required him to finish in the top three in the championship in order to activate his deal for the next season.

Wolff has made no secret of the fact that he has huge respect for Verstappen's abilities and with Valtteri Bottas' contract set to expire at the end of the 2019 season, it is unlikely that the rumours on his future will subside any time soon.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen told to leave F1 as series switch confirmed

F1 News Today: Max Verstappen told to leave F1 as series switch confirmed

  • Yesterday 23:54
Kim Kardashian at the Miami Grand Prix? F1 is about to experience the Taylor Swift effect

Kim Kardashian at the Miami Grand Prix? F1 is about to experience the Taylor Swift effect

  • Yesterday 22:55
Max Verstappen series switch confirmed as F1 champion heads Nurburgring entry list

Max Verstappen series switch confirmed as F1 champion heads Nurburgring entry list

  • Yesterday 21:55
Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell planning decision made in row with neighbours over £9.2m mansion

Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell planning decision made in row with neighbours over £9.2m mansion

  • Yesterday 20:55
Red Bull car is 30kg overweight? F1 fan 'exposes FIA data' in shocking images

Red Bull car is 30kg overweight? F1 fan 'exposes FIA data' in shocking images

  • Yesterday 19:52
Aston Martin replacing Adrian Newey as team principal the inevitable outcome

Aston Martin replacing Adrian Newey as team principal the inevitable outcome

  • Yesterday 18:54

Just in

18-3
F1 News Today: Max Verstappen told to leave F1 as series switch confirmed
18-3
Kim Kardashian at the Miami Grand Prix? F1 is about to experience the Taylor Swift effect
18-3
Max Verstappen series switch confirmed as F1 champion heads Nurburgring entry list
18-3
Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell planning decision made in row with neighbours over £9.2m mansion
18-3
Red Bull car is 30kg overweight? F1 fan 'exposes FIA data' in shocking images
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Max Verstappen series switch confirmed as F1 champion heads Nurburgring entry list Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen series switch confirmed as F1 champion heads Nurburgring entry list

Yesterday 21:55
Red Bull car is 30kg overweight? F1 fan 'exposes FIA data' in shocking images Latest F1 News

Red Bull car is 30kg overweight? F1 fan 'exposes FIA data' in shocking images

Yesterday 19:52
Aston Martin replacing Adrian Newey as team principal the inevitable outcome Aston Martin

Aston Martin replacing Adrian Newey as team principal the inevitable outcome

Yesterday 18:54
Max Verstappen warns F1 over 'ruining the sport... It will bite them in the a***' Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen warns F1 over 'ruining the sport... It will bite them in the a***'

Yesterday 11:59
Ontdek het op Google Play
x