Max Verstappen’s break clause threatens to make F1’s otherwise foolish season even more foolish as Lewis Hamilton’s vacated Mercedes seat continues to make waves.
It’s only been one race into the season, but the year has already gotten off to an explosive start, with Hamilton’s shocking departure to Ferrari and Christian Horner’s scandal.
However, the report from F1 Insider threw the cat among the pigeons and suggested that Verstappen’s contract was tied up with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
The 80-year-old has been Red Bull’s leading voice since 2005 and shares a close relationship with the Dutchman.
In 2022, Verstappen signed a five-year, $55 million contract extension after his current contract expires at the end of the 2023 season, locking him in until the end of the 2028 season.
According to the report, unless Dr. Marco leaves the team.
There was a move last year to oust Marco, and Horner was reportedly responsible for it.
In January, Marko signed a new contract until the end of the 2026 season.
However, the Horner scandal has sparked new rumors as Verstappen’s father Jos slammed the 50-year-old Red Bull boss.
Joss claimed that the Red Bull team would “explode” if Horner remained in his job, despite the recent lifting of charges of “inappropriate behavior” towards female staff.
Over the weekend, the day after Horner was cleared, hundreds of leaked WhatsApp messages were sent to F1 teams and media outlets.
“There’s tension here while he (Horner) holds his position,” Jos told British newspaper the Daily Mail after Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
“The team is on the verge of collapse. We can’t continue like this. It will explode.
“He’s playing the victim when he’s the one causing the problem.”
Jos was also photographed several times over the weekend talking to Mercedes manager Toto Wolff in the paddock, and they shared dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel.
He said the meeting was just a “friends’ meeting.”
Jos didn’t seem to get along very well with Horner, but the two were spotted having a lively discussion after the weekend’s race.
F1-Insider reports that Marko’s comments will add fuel to the fire. “The internal investigation (regarding Horner) has been completed. I won’t say anything more about it.
“As far as I’m concerned (about Verstappen’s break clause), I’m not going to stand in Max’s way.”
Red Bull insider Gerhard Berger was also asked for his opinion and reportedly said: “For now, Horner will stay, Helmut Marko and Adrian Newey will leave, and Max will go to Mercedes.” .
This came after Max Verstappen took his season-opening victory over teammate Sergio Perez at Sakhir, giving Red Bull a 1-2 victory.
That’s what Horner used to dismiss talk of discord.
“A one-two finish like this would be optimal, but it can only be achieved with a fully united, strong team and great support from our partners and shareholders,” he said.
“We cannot achieve this without coming together.”
Sky Sports asked him if he was confident he had the support of Red Bull owners, including majority shareholder Chalerm Youvidya, who was with him in Bahrain, and if he was confident he would be able to compete in next weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. he answered confidently.
“Bucking? Hell no. And I’ll be there too. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here!”
The 50-year-old Briton has led Red Bull to six constructors’ championship wins and seven drivers’ titles since 2005.
Last year’s Red Bull team showed overwhelming strength, achieving a record-breaking 21 wins out of 22 races.
Wolff’s comments regarding Mercedes’ vacant seat in 2024 were also impressive.
“We’re not rushing to make any decisions about drivers,” Wolff said. “Lewis made me rush. So, this time I would like to calm down and evaluate the market.”
Does Toto know something that the rest of us don’t? Only time will tell.
