Red Bull chief Helmut Marko has confirmed Max Verstappen has an exit clause in his Red Bull contract that can be activated just like Lewis Hamilton has done at Mercedes to join Ferrari.
The F1 paddock was shocked a few weeks ago when it was announced that Hamilton had reached an agreement to join Ferrari from the 2025 season on a multi-year deal.
Hamilton had only signed a two-year deal with Mercedes a few months prior, but a break clause was included in the contract.
That opened the door for the 39-year-old to explore his options with Ferrari swooping in to give Hamilton a chance at a brand new challenge in the latter stages of his career.
Hamilton's shock switch to Ferrari is now set to have a knock-on effect up and down the grid with more than half the drivers out of contract at the end of the season.
Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull early
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But the seven-time world champion has also shown that contracts aren't always what they appear to be.
Marko has confirmed that Red Bull are also at risk of Verstappen doing something similar before his contract ends if the team's performance dips.
"Every Formula 1 contract contains certain clauses in case certain criteria for success are not met," he said.
"These are also included in Max's contract."
Marko explained the clause doesn't relate to Verstappen's salary, adding: "That won't be a problem.
"But if we're not able to give him a car he can win with, it's a different story.
"As a driver, success is of course the most important thing for him, and he is also getting a year older every time.
"If he can no longer be successful at Red Bull and those criteria come into play, he will in any case consider whether there is something better to be had elsewhere."
Verstappen is the strong favourite heading into the new season of becoming a four-time world champion.
Max Verstappen is under contract at Red Bull until 2028
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Still just 26 years of age, Verstappen has a chance of becoming the greatest F1 driver of all time before he calls time on his career if he follows the likes of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in staying in the sport into his 40s.
But the Dutchman has long hinted that he will walk away from the sport at his peak, suggesting he could even retire at the end of his current deal.
"I know I'm very lucky to drive a Formula 1 car. I can do what I want, but at some point it doesn't matter," Verstappen said.
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Max Verstappen could follow in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton
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"I already have a lot of plans for what I want to do. It's also about quality of life.
"There are other things in life besides Formula 1. I have a contract until 2028 and after that I'll see.
"I don't want to spend my best years physically just in Formula 1. With the races multiplying, 23 or 24 a year is far too many."
