Things are heating up in the world of Formula 1, and it’s not just because of the summer sun. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have found themselves in the midst of swirling contract rumors, and Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko seems to have poured gasoline on the fire.
Verstappen, a dominant force on the track, has been the subject of speculation about a potential move to Mercedes in 2025. This talk has been buzzing since early 2024, particularly after the parent company Red Bull GmbH dismissed a case against team principal Christian Horner brought by another employee. Verstappen’s dad, Jos, made sure everyone knew his stance, becoming one of Horner’s harshest critics. Now, with Jos pulling out of a Legends Parade in Austria, he’s pointing fingers at Horner again, saying he’s “finished” with him.
Enter Helmut Marko. When asked about these speculations, Marko didn’t exactly calm the waters. He admitted that Verstappen’s contract includes clauses that could allow him to leave Red Bull under certain circumstances. According to reports, Jos Verstappen seems keen on his son joining Mercedes for the 2025 season, with their team principal Toto Wolff openly expressing interest in Max as a successor to Lewis Hamilton. And why not? Recently, Mercedes has shown impressive gains, winning consecutive races at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone. Marko himself said, ‘There are clauses in Max’s contract that make it possible – if certain things happen – to leave the team at any time.’
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez is also facing scrutiny, but for completely different reasons. Despite signing a multi-year deal, Perez has hit a rough patch, failing to make it past the first qualifying round three times in the last five race weekends. He hasn’t been on the podium since April’s Chinese Grand Prix, and that has everyone scratching their heads. When asked why Perez is trailing behind Verstappen, Marko didn’t sugarcoat it, saying, ‘With all the bad luck he’s had, he’s also mentally battered.’
Rumors are flying about a possible driver swap at Red Bull during the summer break, especially with Perez currently 137 points behind Verstappen. There’s even talk that Perez’s contract contains clauses that could lead to his exit if he’s 100 points behind by the summer break. Marko hinted at this, saying, ‘Almost all top drivers have performance clauses in their contracts.’ When pressed if this means Perez’s spot isn’t secure for next season, Marko cryptically replied, ‘What is certain in Formula 1?’
As Red Bull gears up for the Hungarian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how this drama unfolds. The stakes are high, and both drivers have a lot on the line. Will Verstappen break free and head to Mercedes? Can Perez turn his performance around and secure his position? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the world of Formula 1 is anything but predictable.
As the summer break approaches, the tension within Red Bull Racing is palpable. With Verstappen potentially eyeing a move to Mercedes and Perez struggling to maintain his footing, the upcoming races will be crucial for both. Stay tuned to see how this high-stakes drama plays out on the track.
Source: Planetf1
