F1 News: Max Verstappen Contract Questioned - "May Have To Leave"
F1 reporter Fred Ferret has suggested that Max Verstappen might part ways with Red Bull before his contract expires in 2028, indicating that his father, Jos, or Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko, could be influential in his decision to leave.
Key Takeaways:
- F1 reporter Fred Ferret hints that Max Verstappen might leave Red Bull before his contract ends in 2028, with his father Jos, or advisor Helmut Marko possibly influencing his decision.
- Despite Verstappen's strong start to the 2024 season, internal tensions within Red Bull, including concerns about team principal Christian Horner and rumors about Marko's departure, raise doubts about Verstappen's future with the team.
- Ferret suggests that Verstappen's departure from Red Bull could happen sooner than expected due to ongoing internal struggles, with Jos and Marko potentially playing significant roles in his decision.
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The 2024 season has got off to a flying start for Verstappen, who secured victory in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, as he gears up to win his fourth title, internal tensions in the Red Bull team seem to have caught the most attention, which could pave the way for his exit if the matter intensifies further.
Despite team principal Christian Horner being cleared of allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a colleague, Verstappen's father expressed concerns that if Horner isn't suspended, it could lead to the team's downfall. Additionally, speculation surrounding the potential departure of team advisor Helmut Marko, whom Verstappen respects highly, may contribute to the three-time world champion's decision to leave Red Bull.
Although Marko confirmed his continuation with the team for the foreseeable future, Verstappen's public support for the 80-year-old strongly implies his readiness to leave Red Bull alongside Marko if necessary. While the situation may have temporarily settled, there are evident indications of an internal power struggle within Red Bull, as acknowledged by Jos in a recent statement.
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Consequently, Ferret suggests a "possibility" that Verstappen may leave sooner than the expiration of his Red Bull contract after considering the gravity of the situation. Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, he said:
“I have to say that you have to put Max in the equation. He may have to leave at one point.
“If he leaves Red Bull then the things are very different, and then I would say that Checo [Perez]’s seat is kind of saved because you need someone to have the legacy of the driving from the old cars.
“So this is something that you must add on your mind for ’25 and the years later.”
While he didn't mention a timeline, Ferret hinted that Verstappen could leave Red Bull very soon when asked if he would be a Red Bull driver next season. He stated:
“I’m not that sure. Maybe Max, because of Jos, because of Helmut, because of everything, will have to leave. I would say that it’s a possibility.”