Max Verstappen will reportedly remain with his lifelong team through the 2026 season after clearing an exit clause following the Belgian Grand Prix, ESPN's Nate Saunders reported Monday.

Moreover, team principal Christian Horner was dismissed from his role by Red Bull, though Verstappen has since said his exit will not have any bearing on his own future. Throughout the entire saga, it has been known that there is a performance-related release clause in Verstappen’s contract which runs until 2028.

Max Verstappen is poised to remain with Red Bull in 2026 as the clause which could have permitted a move elsewhere in Formula 1 won’t become active this season. Verstappen’s prospects have dominated the headlines over the past month since the revelation that his camp has been engaged in active discussions with Mercedes.