Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Max Verstappen’s future with the team. Despite being contracted until 2028, Verstappen reportedly has an exit clause allowing him to leave for another team in 2027 if he does not rank in the top two of the Drivers' Championship by the summer break in August.

Currently, Verstappen sits seventh in the standings with only one podium finish this season, trailing Lewis Hamilton by 60 points. Red Bull has introduced a significant upgrade package for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, and Mekies emphasized the need for these improvements to convince Verstappen to stay.

Mekies stated:

Max wants a fast car and trusts us to ensure we return to success.

• He warned that the impact of the new upgrades may take time to manifest, saying, "We started very far away... we need more steps."

He clarified that while they are not pressuring Verstappen about his commitment, it is essential for the team to demonstrate continuous progress. Mekies noted:

Max has made clear he wants to continue, but he needs a fast car to be happy.

Speculation about Verstappen's potential moves to Mercedes or McLaren has circulated, especially with his race engineer joining McLaren in 2028. Analysts suggest that Verstappen’s decision hinges on Red Bull's performance improvements, as he aims to compete for championships and win races.

If Red Bull can deliver a competitive car, Mekies believes there will be no discussion about Verstappen's future, emphasizing the importance of showing steady progress to retain their star driver.