Max Verstappen’s odds of departing Red Bull…
Max Verstappen’s odds of departing Red Bull have dramatically risen after Helmut Marko, the team’s motorsport advisor, conceded that he might face a suspension due to the repercussions of the Christian Horner debacle.
Bound to Red Bull until 2028, Verstappen is believed to possess a clause in his contract that would allow him to exit should Marko depart. With Lewis Hamilton on his way out, Mercedes has an open slot next season, sparking widespread conjecture about Verstappen, Red Bull’s triple world champion, making a blockbuster transfer to Brackley.
Following his pole victory for Saturday’s race, Verstappen ramped up the conversation by staunchly backing Marko. “My loyalty to him is massive,” Verstappen stated. “He’s pivotal to the team’s fabric. He, alongside Dietrich [Mateschitz], laid the foundation of this team. The departure of such a key figure would hit me hard. It’s imperative Helmut stays.”
Amid the swirling rumors, there’s talk in Verstappen’s camp that Mercedes’ engine might surpass Red Bull’s with the upcoming 2026 rules overhaul. Marko’s confrontational approach might just be a strategic move, potentially setting the stage for Verstappen’s Red Bull exit.
In a surprising twist ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Marko disclosed to ORF, an Austrian broadcaster, his looming “theoretical” suspension by Red Bull GmbH. The details are murky, yet it’s now evident that an internal review within Red Bull GmbH regarding last month’s leak during the Horner investigation is active. Horner was recently cleared of misconduct allegations toward a female colleague, who has been suspended as a result of the findings.
Reports indicate that Marko was directed by Red Bull GmbH—not directly affiliated with Red Bull Racing—to refrain from speaking to the press. Ignoring this directive, Marko engaged with ORF in the Jeddah paddock before Friday’s qualifying. Questioned about his future race involvement, Marko gave a cryptic reply, hinting at a possible suspension.
On the topic of Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull, he mentioned, “Max is without a doubt our biggest asset; there’s no faster driver at the moment. His departure would profoundly affect our team, from the mechanics to the engineers, who all aim to support Max.” A Red Bull spokesperson confirmed to Telegraph Sport that Marko has not been suspended as of now.
There’s speculation that Marko might have displeased Chalerm Yoovidhya, the Thai majority owner of Red Bull Austria.
Additionally, whispers in the Jeddah paddock suggest Yoovidhya might contemplate spinning off Red Bull Racing from the Salzburg-based parent company. This development occurs as Horner and Red Bull face increased scrutiny from their racing counterparts over their handling of the controversy.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown voiced his shock at the unfolding events, suggesting Horner would likely have been suspended if faced with similar allegations at McLaren. Horner has called for putting the controversy to rest, accusing competitors of exploiting the situation for political gain, which he views as a distasteful aspect of the sport.
Contrary to Horner, Brown emphasized McLaren’s dedication to transparency and decisive action following investigations. While expressing satisfaction with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Brown acknowledged that Verstappen would top any team’s list, including McLaren’s, should a driver slot become available.
