Following the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, Martin Brundle has stated his belief that Max Verstappen has an exit clause in his Red Bull contract as the team took on a new partnership with Ford to create this season’s powertrain. This comes following a bout of disappointing results from the Dutchman, who has been clear about his disappointment surrounding the 2026 regulation changes.
Brundle, speaking on the F1 Show Podcast, admitted that the four-time champion likely has an option to back out of the Red Bull project at the end of the year if he’s not happy with its progress.
“I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that given they were building their own powertrain for the first time, that his management would have put in an exit clause at the end of this year to see how it goes,” he opined.
Verstappen has struggled with the new regulations – like several other drivers on the grid. But unlike some, the driver has been fairly verbal on his distaste. This has led to cryptic hints about leaving the championship, although nothing has been said outright. This openness is nothing new, even if the constant threat of leaving is wearing thin to some pundits.
“Yeah. I mean, Max is very unfiltered, isn’t he? He always has been. And he’s talked a lot for a long time about, ‘I’m not in this for the long haul. I’m not going to be hanging around here in my 40s or whatever,'” Brundle explained. “And Max would say ‘it’s getting a bit boring now.’
“I think it’s getting a bit boring with what he’s saying. Either go or or or stop talking about it. Because it is what it is. You’ve got to make the most of it.”
Brundle also compared Verstappen’s public behaviour to legends of the past, such as Michael Schumacher, and how they’d deal with this level of friction behind closed doors.
“But what a Schumacher or whatever would have done is, closed the door, thumped the desk, metaphorically got hold of the right people by the throat, walked out and said with a smile and go ‘everything’s fine,’
“And then if they don’t sort it out, which we’re looking forward to for Miami, then you then you start going on to the media. But it’s sort of… I don’t know.
“But that that’s not how he does things. So that’s emptying my mind on the subject.”
What Happens if Max Verstappen Retires?
If Verstappen does activate an exit clause, his immediate options appear surprisingly limited, according to the former Schumacher team-mate.
Mercedes is saying no, there’s no place at this particular in at the moment. So quite what he would do, I don’t know,” Brundle admitted.
Should the Red Bull star decide to step away from F1 entirely and give in to his threats of retirement, Brundle was keen to point out that it wouldn’t have the ripple effect some may expect.
“Nobody’s indispensable in this business. I’ve seen a number of amazing people come through this sport and no longer with us or moved on and done something else and and the sport carries on.”
He gave his view on whether this could actually happen: “Do I think he’d just walk away from F1? No. No, I don’t,” he said, adding, “Providing he can get a car that that pleases him.”
Despite the fact the commentator doesn’t believe Verstappen will carry though on his talks of retirement, h doesn’t admit there’s a level of validity to what he’s complaining about.
“His his points are brutally made, but actually well made. This is just wrong at the moment.”
