MAX MAY SPEED OFF IF RED BULL DO NOT DELIVER

RED BULL have been warned that Max Verstappen's loyalty to the team is not endless.

- BY DANIEL MOXON

The Dutchman stuck with Red Bull last year despite strong interest from Mercedes, as his streak of four successive Formula One drivers’ titles came to an end.

It is understood a clause in Verstappen’s contract, which may allow him to walk away if he is lower than second in the championship by the summer, will become active again later this year.

And team principal Laurent Mekies has already admitted that Red Bull, who will this year race with engines built in-house for the first time, “will be trailing” their rivals in early rounds of the season.