Red Bull Racing is on fire—and not in the way fans hoped. In a shocking statement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has opened the door to a possible Max Verstappen exit, suggesting that performance-based clauses could allow the reigning champion to terminate his Red Bull contract earlier than expected.
“Contracts in Formula 1 are never bulletproof,” Wolff told reporters. “If a team falls apart, drivers look for stability and performance. Max is a winner—he won’t sit around if things collapse around him.”
Verstappen, currently tied to Red Bull until the end of 2028, may now be looking at other options as chaos brews behind the scenes. From Christian Horner’s exit to reported technical division breakdowns, the once-dominant Red Bull structure is showing serious cracks
Wolff’s comments aren’t just speculation—they’re a calculated shot. By publicly acknowledging Verstappen’s potential availability, he’s sending a clear message: Mercedes is ready to pounce if the Dutch star feels the walls closing in at Red Bull.
Although Verstappen has yet to issue any statement on the matter, fans have noticed signs of tension in his recent interviews. With the 2026 regulation reset looming, the idea of Verstappen jumping ship to Mercedes isn’t just tabloid fodder anymore—it’s a real, ticking scenario.
If Red Bull can’t regroup quickly, Formula 1 could see its most dramatic driver switch in a decade. And if Mercedes pulls this off, the balance of power in F1 could tilt overnight.
