Does this clause ensure Verstappen can move to Mercedes thanks to Russell?

After a disappointing evening in Bahrain where Max Verstappen with a subpar RB21 in terms of performance could not play a significant role, the crisis at Red Bull Racing has resurfaced in full force. This led to new speculations about whether or not Verstappen will remain with the team with which he has celebrated so many successes.

After Verstappen's victory in Japan, smiling had returned to Red Bull, but it was short-lived. The total unraveling in Bahrain, where for a long time a battle was fought by the best driver on the grid with Haas F1 and Alpine cars, has caused total dismay at Red Bull. Despite team boss Christian Horner's claims, they have no clue how to solve the car's structural problems.

Marko is worried about Verstappen

Helmut Marko is also very concerned. Not only about the qualities of the car that Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda have to race with or about the tunnel vision that seems to affect the team in the development of the car. Marko, an external advisor to the Austrians, openly doubts whether they will be able to keep Verstappen after this season, as he said in a German television interview.

Red Bull is highly dependent on Verstappen. He is the man who has been giving the team prestige, keeping it relevant, and winning the top prizes for years. Without Verstappen, Red Bull could easily sink into mediocrity. It is crucial for the Austrian team to retain the Dutchman at least until the end of 2028. Whether that will prove to be successful is becoming increasingly unrealistic. Verstappen is not the type to want to drive in the midfield. He wants to win. Preferably with Red Bull, but if that is not possible...

Does this clause pave the way for Verstappen's departure?

Of course, Red Bull does not want to let its star driver go without a fight. But the team is powerless if Verstappen uses one of the many performance clauses in his contract. GPblog has learned from various sources that the shrewd manager Raymond Vermeulen included in the contract during the last negotiations that Verstappen can leave if he is not in the top three of the F1 championship. The measuring point would be this summer for the first time.

Currently, Verstappen is in third place in the standings, with 69 points. The difference to leader Lando Norris is eight points, Oscar Piastri has five points more than the Dutchman. Behind Verstappen is George Russell with 63 points. The British driver and his Mercedes are in excellent form, and it is not unthinkable that Russell could be the one to push Verstappen off third place.

In that case, Russell could be the one who makes it possible for Verstappen to activate the aforementioned clause. In a sense, this is ironic because Mercedes would be the most logical candidate to bring in Verstappen if he does leave Red Bull. Who at Mercedes would have to make room? It could very well be George Russell...