Verstappen's Manager Urges Red Bull to Deliver Race-Winning Car

Posted : 27 June 2026

Max Verstappen's manager has delivered a clear message to Red Bull, insisting the four-time Formula 1 world champion must have a car capable of competing at the front as speculation over his future continues.

Verstappen remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season. However, reports suggest the agreement includes a performance-related exit clause that could allow the Dutch driver to leave before the 2027 campaign if he is outside the top two in the drivers' championship by the summer break.

Heading into the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen sits seventh in the championship standings. He trails second-placed Lewis Hamilton by 60 points and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 101 points.

With Red Bull struggling to match its dominant form of previous seasons, Verstappen has recently been linked with potential moves to Mercedes and McLaren.

Speaking about the situation, Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, stressed that the team's priority remains achieving success together but admitted performance is the deciding factor.

Vermeulen said the partnership between Verstappen and Red Bull has always been built on the ability to fight at the front of the grid. He added that the Dutch driver was not in Formula 1 to race in the midfield and that the team must provide a competitive package capable of winning races.

He also dismissed suggestions that ongoing discussions about performance automatically indicate Verstappen is preparing to leave.

According to Vermeulen, both sides remain committed to the agreements already in place, with loyalty continuing to form the basis of their relationship. However, he acknowledged that competing for victories remains essential for any long-term partnership.

Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package for the Austrian Grand Prix in an effort to improve the RB26's performance and reduce excess weight. The team hopes the updates will help close the gap to Ferrari and Mercedes as the championship battle intensifies.

The Austrian weekend could prove important for Red Bull's season. A strong performance would not only strengthen Verstappen's title challenge but also ease growing speculation surrounding his long-term future with the Milton Keynes-based team.

For now, Verstappen remains focused on extracting the maximum from his car, while Red Bull faces increasing pressure to return to the front of the Formula 1 grid.

Verstappen's Manager Urges Red Bull to Deliver Race-Winning Car

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