A Max Verstappen break clause has threatened to make the F1 season even more absurd, as the Mercedes seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton continues to create headlines.
With only one race into the season, Hamilton’s surprise departure for Ferrari and the Christian Horner scandal have already made for an exciting start.
However, F1-Insider reports that Verstappen’s contract is linked to Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, casting doubt on the matter.
The 80-year-old has been a key figure in Red Bull since 2005 and has a tight relationship with the Dutchman.
Verstappen signed a five-year $US55 million ($A85 million) extension in 2022 after his current contract expired at the end of the 2023 season, keeping him until the end of the 2028 season.
Unless, per the report, Dr Marko departs the team.
Last year, there were attempts to force Marko out, which Horner was supposedly held accountable for.
Marko got a new contract in January that will expire at the end of the season in 2026.
However, Horner’s scandal has sparked a new wave of speculations, with Verstappen’s father Jos criticising the 50-year-old Red Bull team principal.
Jos claims the Red Bull squad will “explode” if Horner keeps his job, despite being cleared of “inappropriate behavior” against a female employee.
Hundreds of hacked WhatsApp chats were given to Formula One teams and media outlets over the weekend, a day after Horner was cleared.
“There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position,” Jos told the British newspaper the Daily Mail following the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday.
“The team is in risk of breaking apart. It cannot continue the way it is. It will detonate.
“He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
Jos was also seen engaging with Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff in the paddock many times during the weekend, as well as meeting the German for dinner at the Four Seasons.
He described the meeting as a “meeting between friends”.
Jos did not appear to be as friendly with Horner, as the two were seen having an impassioned debate after the weekend’s race.
Marko’s words, as quoted by F1-Insider, will undoubtedly add gasoline to the fire. “(Regarding Horner) The internal investigations are complete. I won’t say any more about it.
“(Regarding Verstappen’s break clause) As far as I’m concerned, I won’t stand in Max’s way.”
Gerhard Berger, a Red Bull insider, was also asked about his thoughts, reportedly saying: “As of now — Horner stays, Helmut Marko and Adrian Newey quit, and Max goes to Mercedes.”
It follows Red Bull’s 1-2 finish in Sakhir, where Max Verstappen won ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.
It is what Horner used to dismiss any mention of disunity.
“A one-two finish like this is the optimum and you don’t get that without being absolutely united, having a strong team and great support from partners and shareholders,” he went on to say.
“You don’t achieve this without being united.”
When asked by Sky Sports if he was convinced he had the backing of the Red Bull owners, including majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, who was with him in Bahrain, and that he would be at next weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he responded confidently.
“Backing? Absolutely, yeah. And I will be there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.
Since 2005, the 50-year-old Briton has led Red Bull to six constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles.
Last year, the Red Bull car won a record 21 of 22 races as the team dominated.
Wolff’s remarks about the empty Mercedes seat in 2024 were also insightful.
“I’m in no hurry for us to take a decision on drivers,” Wolff was quoted as saying. “I was pressured by Lewis. So this time, I’m going to take it easy and study the market.”
Does Toto know anything else that the rest of us don’t? Time will tell, it appears.
Credit: F1-Insider
