Breaking news
Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP
What Red Bull must do to keep Max Verstappen, according to his manager
Max Verstappen has sent a veiled threat to Red Bull via manager Raymond Vermeulen in an interview with a Dutch newspaper
Stuart Codling
Edited: Sep 20, 2025, 8:33 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Although Max Verstappen has ruled out an immediate departure from Red Bull at the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, his future continues to be the subject of frenzied speculation.
Much of that has been stirred up by Max himself, as well as his inner circle acting as his proxy. The aim has been to keep ‘cracking the whip' over the team, motivating it to give him a better car – and letting its senior figures know who is in the driving seat in this relationship.
The latest slap has come in the form of an interview with Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. This is significant since that newspaper is very much the official mouthpiece of 'Team Max', and the upshot of the interview is clear: if the team continues to underperform next season, Max will be gone.
"It would be a fantastic story if he [Verstappen] were to drive his entire Formula 1 career for Red Bull," Vermeulen said. "But that will only happen if he has the equipment to be able to win."
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, with team principal Laurent Mekies
Photo by: Mark Thompson - Getty Images
It was widely known that Verstappen's contract included a so-called performance clause giving him the option of leaving if he was below a certain point in the drivers' championship at the summer break. This figure was understood to be third – which is where Max happened to be.
So it would have been difficult to exit straight away, even if there had been a vacancy at another leading team with the offer of a better car. But it is also understood that the contractual terms shift in Verstappen's favour as the arrangement nears its end point in the 2028 season.
So Vermeulen was very clear in setting out that Red Bull needs to do better in 2026 if it is to keep him beyond the end of next season. This will be a significant challenge since the team is building its own engine for the new regulations, albeit with support from Ford.
"Next year it's not only about the engine, but also about the chassis," Vermeulen said, "and which people are brought in here, what impact will that have? It's like putting together a puzzle.
"That's why the conclusion was that it's better to stay at least one more year. Max wants to win more championships in the future. He's not done in that regard, but he is dependent on the equipment.
"So I think 2026 will be a very important year, one that will determine where his future lies in Formula 1."
Read Also:
Photos from Azerbaijan GP - Practice
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Azerbaijan GP - Saturday, in photos
Formula 1
77
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Who is Laura Villars, the surprise late runner for FIA presidency?
Next article LIVE: F1 Azerbaijan GP updates - Lando Norris quickest so far in windy FP3
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Stuart Codling
F1 Singapore GP live commentary and updates: Max Verstappen cruises to victory
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
F1 Singapore GP live commentary and updates: Max Verstappen cruises to victory
Pierre Gasly questions FIA stewards' decision not to penalise Lando Norris after Singapore crash
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Pierre Gasly questions FIA stewards' decision not to penalise Lando Norris after Singapore crash
More from
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Formula 1
Formula 1 10 h
Max Verstappen: FAQ on his GTWC Europe debut
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
More from
Red Bull Racing
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
8 h
Christian Horner takes cheeky swipe at Guenther Steiner: 'He never achieved an F1 podium'
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Formula 1
Formula 1 12 h
Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"
Latest news
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
4 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
6 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 6 h
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
6 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe