Max Verstappen tipped to trigger 'musical chairs' if Red Bull exit executed

Max Verstappen's exit from Red Bull this year would trigger a case of “musical chairs”, according to two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

Verstappen has a contract in place until the end of the 2028 campaign, having signed an extension after winning his first title five years ago.

However, the deal is rumoured to include performance-based exit clauses, which have been a topic of conversation this year amid Red Bull's slip in the pecking order.

Verstappen has not yet officially confirmed his spot on the grid for next year, with some theories linking him with a move to a rival team or an exit from F1 altogether.

Fittipaldi, however, recognises that the Dutchman appears to hold loyalty to Red Bull.

“It’s always difficult to give an opinion on what’s going on,” he told F1.

“I don’t know his relationship. I don’t know what they are doing for next year. 

“Max is an incredible talent. He carries his car on his back. I think he has a big loyalty to the team, and I like that. 

“I always liked to run many years on a team, as much as I could go. I think he has this loyalty.”

However, Fittipaldi does not rule out the possibility of Verstappen exiting his Red Bull seat - which he predicts would lead to a major shift in driver line-ups throughout the field.

“But possibly, he can leave,” he said. “If that happened, it would be musical chairs. It’s going to move everybody. 

“I think this part of F1 is exciting. The fans, ‘Who’s going to be [there]? Where are they going?’ It’s part of the sport.”