Marko highlights Verstappen's exit clauses: 'Then he can just leave'
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Helmut Marko has reiterated that Max Verstappen's contract with Red Bull Racing has exit clauses. The external Red Bull advisor fears the Dutchman might say 'that is it' if he doesn't like the car or the environment. For now, Verstappen is contracted with the Austrian racing team until the end of the 2028 Formula 1 season.
At the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull Racing had internal problems. A dispute between team boss Christian Horner and Helmut Marko with Jos Verstappen caused some tension. It put the future of Marko and Verstappen in doubt. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff looked to take advantage and openly flirted with Verstappen as an option to replace Lewis Hamilton. In the end, both Verstappen and Marko will be staying with Red Bull in 2025.
Can Verstappen still leave Red Bull?
Marko did not want to look to far into the future when he was asked by oe24 about the situation beyond the 2025 Formula 1 season. "For now, we are fully focused on winning the world championship. How we perform next year will depend on that because our car will not change drastically," Marko said. In 2024, Verstappen has a 52-point lead over his closest rival, Lando Norris, with six race weekends remaining.
"Max also has a contract with Red Bull for 2026, but as often said, there are exit clauses. Let's see how everything goes. If the car and the environment are no longer right for him, then he can say 'this is it'," Marko stressed.
Marko secured a fresh deal that reportedly removed a clause which said Verstappen was free to leave if Marko left. The Austrian did not say whether he would still go with Verstappen: "Again, now my focus is on the world title."
This article has been created in collaboration with Tim Kraaij
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16 October 2024
