The Formula 1 silly season is in full swing, and the latest rumors swirling around Max Verstappen have Christian Horner firmly setting the record straight. Reports suggesting that Aston Martin is preparing a £1 billion blockbuster deal to snatch Verstappen from Red Bull have gained traction in recent weeks—but Horner insists the reigning World Champion isn’t going anywhere.
Verstappen’s Future: Serious or Just Noise?
Despite being under contract until 2028, Verstappen has been consistently linked with an exit from Red Bull, with both Mercedes and Aston Martin vying for his services. Toto Wolff openly admitted that he would love to bring the Dutchman to Mercedes, especially in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s shock Ferrari move. Meanwhile, whispers of Aston Martin leveraging Verstappen’s name to attract sponsors raised eyebrows in the paddock.
However, Horner dismissed the latest speculation, stating that genuine negotiations happen behind closed doors—not through the media.
“Max has a very open relationship with the team. He’s made very clear what his position is towards Red Bull. When the noise is so public, it tends to be [less believable]. The serious stuff is usually done behind the scenes, not through the media.”
Is There an Exit Clause in Verstappen’s Red Bull Contract?
One of the most intriguing elements of this saga is whether Verstappen has an exit clause built into his current Red Bull contract. Horner previously confirmed that the deal contains a “performance element”, meaning Verstappen could leave if Red Bull underperforms.
Reports suggest that Verstappen might be able to trigger an exit clause if he is lower than third in the Drivers’ Championship after a specific point in F1 2025—a clause reminiscent of those in previous deals. If Red Bull stumbles under increased competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, the Dutchman could reevaluate his future.
Aston Martin’s Ongoing Negotiations & Newey Factor
F1 insiders continue to insist that negotiations between Verstappen and Aston Martin are ongoing. The Silverstone-based outfit, backed by Lawrence Stroll, has been on an aggressive recruitment drive. The recent signing of Red Bull’s legendary designer, Adrian Newey, could be a significant pull factor for Verstappen.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos added fuel to the fire, claiming Stroll is “sparing no expense” in trying to land Verstappen and reshape Aston Martin into a title contender.
Mercedes’ Long-Term Plan & A Potential 2026 Move?
While Mercedes lost ground in the Verstappen chase last year, Toto Wolff has left the door open for a future deal. With major regulation changes coming in 2026, Mercedes is positioning itself to reclaim dominance, and Verstappen could be a key piece of the puzzle.
Wolff recently admitted that talks with Verstappen stalled last year but hinted that the door remains open:
“At some point, he said that he wanted to stay where he was for the time being because it felt right for him. And I said that we would go with Kimi [Antonelli] because it also felt right for us. Now, we’ll see where it takes us.”
With George Russell’s contract expiring in 2025 and Antonelli’s deal details still undisclosed, Mercedes could re-enter the race for Verstappen when the timing is right.
Verdict: Will Verstappen Leave Red Bull?
For now, Verstappen remains fully committed to Red Bull. However, with the 2026 regulations approaching and key players like Newey moving teams, the landscape of F1 could change dramatically. While Horner has attempted to shut down the speculation, the reality is that both Mercedes and Aston Martin are serious about making a move when the time is right.
One thing is certain—the Verstappen transfer saga is far from over.
