Villeneuve: Verstappen cannot suddenly sign a contract with another team

Saturday, 26 July 2025 at 07:30

Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen may already hold the contractual leverage to leave Red Bull if results continue to slip, suggesting the Dutchman could be exploring exit scenarios even with a 2026 deal in place.

“Everybody is saying everything right now. It's become an open season,” Villeneuve told Vision4Sport when discussing Verstappen's future with Red Bull. “It's amazing the amount of ex-drivers or ex-commentators, or ex-team principals, ex-engineers who have a comment and an opinion and talk as if they have the real info.

“That's the way it's gone now in the media with the social networks. It's not even giving an opinion, it's just saying things, but there's nothing concrete behind it.”

Villeneuve warned that while Verstappen technically remains under contract, it may not prevent behind-the-scenes manoeuvring: “Max still has a contract for next year. He cannot just suddenly sign a contract with another team.

"There are times where you're not allowed to actually sign contracts with other teams. You have to wait. There’s a lot of things you have to do in the process. But who wouldn't discuss things with Max to try to fish a bit?" asked the Canadian.

Villeneueve: Many things in contracts give you an open door to leave

"That doesn't mean that it's already signed, although it could have been. And maybe he's already got what he needs to break away from his Red Bull contract based on maybe overall team result or position," Villeneuve ventured.

Villeneuve added that certain clauses within long-term contracts can create opportunities to leave without violating the agreement: “There are so many things in contracts that give you an open door to leave. So that's not breaking the contract. It's actually in the contract and there is a clause that he could exercise.

“And maybe that's why they decided, if we get rid of Horner now, maybe that will make him change his mind. Any driver would be stupid to not discuss things with other teams. You always have to keep as many doors open as you can.”

The Canadian also weighed in on Red Bull’s prospects at Spa-Francochamps this weekend, noting that Verstappen’s adaptability with lower downforce setups makes him a contender at high-speed circuits even if McLaren remain the consistent benchmark.

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“Spa could be a good Red Bull track. It's always been a surprise which car is quick and where this year,” said Villeneuve. “They're all so close. They're all so close to each other that if they hit it wrong, a couple of tenths lost, and instead of being in pole, you're P5, P6.

“You always know that McLaren will be there even on the bad weekend. They will still be in the fight. And then the rest, it's up and down. There will always be another team fighting for the pole, but you don't know which one.”

Villeneuve pointed to recent form as evidence that Red Bull and Verstappen could be strong this weekend: “The reason I say Red Bull is because Max has also shown in Silverstone, he's capable of running with lower downforce. And on tracks like that it works, unless it rains.”

On Friday in Belgium, Verstappen split the McLarens in qualifying for Saturday’s Sprint at Spa-Francorchamps, where high-speed balance and downforce compromise are key.