Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull faces fresh speculation as Helmut Marko clarifies a key contract clause. Here are the main points:
Max Verstappen, while committed to Red Bull, has been linked with a potential move to Mercedes for months. There’s a lot of buzz over his future, and it’s only getting louder.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s long-serving adviser, stated his revised contract “has no direct consequences for Max Verstappen,” though rumors persist that the clause allowing Verstappen to leave if Marko departs remains a hot topic.
Earlier in the year, PlanetF1.com reported a clause in Verstappen’s contract, supposedly unknown to top Red Bull officials, would let him leave if Marko exited the team. This was highlighted during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when Verstappen confirmed his loyalty to Marko amidst suspension rumors.
Last weekend, during the Hungarian Grand Prix, it was revealed Marko has committed to Red Bull Racing until the end of the 2026 season. This new agreement seemingly nullified the contract clause linking Marko and Verstappen. However, Marko’s recent comments suggest otherwise.
Verstappen’s contract runs until 2028, and he has expressed his intention to stay with Red Bull next season. This dashes Mercedes’ hopes of snapping him up as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, especially since team boss Toto Wolff made his interest clear.
When pressed by Sky Germany, Marko denied the specific clause’s removal, fueling further speculation. Marko said, “That is not true. We don’t want to discuss that publicly. My contract has been adapted. This has no direct consequences for Max Verstappen.”
Mercedes has been on a winning streak recently, bagging consecutive victories at the Austrian and British Grands Prix thanks to George Russell and Hamilton. This resurgence makes the Mercedes-Red Bull rivalry even more interesting, especially with Adrian Newey’s upcoming departure from Red Bull in 2025.
Toto Wolff admitted earlier that Mercedes needs to step up to be an attractive alternative for Verstappen. “We need two to crash at the front to win at the moment,” Wolff said, emphasizing their current challenges. “I think this is a moment where we can say that we can be or harbor port or destination for the best drivers, including Max. But we’re not there yet, so if I was him I wouldn’t be considering such a move. Yet.”
In short, while Verstappen’s ties to Red Bull seem secure, the rumors and drama are far from over.
Source: Planetf1
