Max Verstappen manager hands Red Bull pointed warning over F1 future

Max Verstappen's manager has told Red Bull that the four-time champion was "not born to compete in the midfield" as his future remains uncertain.

Verstappen's current deal with Red Bull expires at the end of 2028, but is understood to contain a break clause, allowing him to walk away for 2027 if he is not within the top two in the drivers' standings by the summer break.

As it stands, heading into the Austrian GP weekend, Verstappen is seventh in the standings, 60 points behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who is currently second, and 101 down on leader Kimi Antonelli. 

Red Bull has delivered a huge upgrade package to the Austrian weekend, in the hopes of shedding some of the excess weight from the car. 

The Dutchman has been linked with Mercedes and this week, McLaren, and in addressing his client's future, Raymond Vermeulen has spoken about the current position the team finds itself in. 

"Our goal is to see this adventure through together with Red Bull,” Vermeulen is quoted as saying by de Telegraaf. 

"The spirit of Red Bull and the spirit of Verstappen are a good fit. But we do need a package that allows us to compete at the front. That has always been the foundation.

"Ultimately, Max wasn’t born to compete in the midfield.

"We now have time to focus on the car’s performance. That has nothing to do with leaving or staying. We have agreements, and we’re sticking to them.”

“Loyalty has always been our starting point, for both parties. But ultimately, you have to be able to fight for victories."