Piastri has a release clause that he can trigger during the summer break. Is an exchange with Verstappen approaching?

These are hot days. Max Verstappen and Red Bull have rarely experienced difficult moments like the one following the British Grand Prix, which ended with the Dutch champion retiring due to a recurring technical problem with the rear wing.
The Verstappen clan immediately made themselves heard with Oliver Mintzlaff and Laurent Mekies, and the four-time world champion himself seemed really fed up with his Red Bull.
And even from the Anglo-Austrian team, a certain impatience has emerged with the attitude of its driver, who is in fact holding the team hostage without confirming what he will do in 2027.
In recent times there has often been talk of a possible arrival at McLaren for Max, with Oscar Piastri taking the opposite route. A path that could really open up, in a sensational way. Verstappen’s clause With the ‘zero’ achieved at Silverstone, Max Verstappen is certain to arrive at the summer break outside the top2 in the championship, a circumstance which would allow him to say goodbye to Red Bull ahead of the natural expiry of his contract set at the end of 2028.
The BBC then hinted that this type of clause, even once the desire to activate it has been expressed, can only actually come into force in the autumn.
Never before could Max make use of his early termination clause. Background: there is also Piastri’s clause The puzzle could be completed by exchanging the pieces of Verstappen and Piastri, with the former in McLaren and the latter in Red Bull. And the move could be facilitated here too by an exit clause, as told by Erik Van Haren in the De Telegraaf podcast: “Piastri is losing positions in the rankings. I know he has a release clause in his contract approaching the summer break. He is currently sixth in the world championship, so the situation could be rather favorable for him.” The Brazilians behind the Grand Prix went further, explaining that Oscar Piastri had already communicated to McLaren his desire to move on by taking advantage of the clause. Mark Webber – the Australian’s manager – would then exploit his good offices at Red Bull to secure a first driver contract for his client, after the internal tensions experienced in 2025.

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2026-07-07 14:08:00