Helmut Marko ready to help trigger Max Verstappen’s exit at Red Bull

The ‘Helmut Marko clause’ in Max Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull could be used as a tactic to leave the team, according to a report.

The ‘will he/won’t he’ question regarding the Dutch driver’s future at Red Bull has dominated speculation in the driver market recently, and Helmut Marko could yet play a role in the outcome.

Helmut Marko clause could be used as Max Verstappen exit tactic

Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, but his future with the Milton Keynes-based team appears less certain now than in the past.

The Dutch driver has said his future, for now, is at Red Bull, but his father Jos recently hinted in an interview with RaceXpress that his son should also look to F1 2026 and beyond when regulations would change.

“I think everyone wants it, only I think Max is right at the moment,” Verstappen said, as quoted by RacingNews365.nl.

“He has a fast car, but we also have to look further ahead, to 2026, so we let everything come to us at the moment. We stay very calm and see what will happen.

After F1 2025, the chassis and engine regulations will be revised for a new formula and there is no guarantee that Red Bull will remain at the top of Formula 1.

With the new Red Bull Powertrains division set to make Red Bull a full-fledged engine manufacturer, there is no doubt that the team faces a significant challenge due to a lack of engine building experience compared to established manufacturers like Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda.

Adding to this concern is the fact that Red Bull now faces the new round of regulations without the oversight of design chief Adrian Newey, as the Red Bull Technology Group technical director confirmed last week that he would be leaving Milton Keynes d by mid-2025.

While Verstappen admitted in Miami that he would have preferred Newey to stay on board, he has always stopped short of saying he intends to leave Red Bull, but has also not firmly stated that he had no plans to leave before the end of his current term. agreement.

According to a BBC report, Verstappen may also be able to get out of his contract thanks to a “Helmut Marko clause” that was inserted into his deal, apparently without Christian Horner’s knowledge since Marko introduced the clause through his position as a director of Red Bull.

The clause means that, if Marko is no longer at Red Bull, Verstappen can also leave the team – with the three-time F1 world champion having made his stance on Marko’s continued involvement clear earlier this season, as he seemed there be a suspension from Red Bull. was imminent for Marko.

According to Andrew Benson, Marko promised Verstappen that he would “do what he wants”, meaning that if Verstappen wants to leave Red Bull, Marko can help him trigger his exit clause by simply leaving Red Bull himself- even.

If that were to happen, Verstappen would thus follow Newey out of Red Bull, leaving him to pursue a new challenge elsewhere on the grid.

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Why is there uncertainty over Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull?

With Newey’s departure from Red Bull the culmination of his thoughts over the past two years since the current regulations were introduced, the 65-year-old admitted that the off-track dramas surrounding the team this year have played a role. a role in his decision to call. time over his tenure at Red Bull.

The turmoil surrounding the team dates back to January when Red Bull GmbH confirmed that an internal investigation into Christian Horner was underway due to an employee’s allegations regarding his behavior.

After the investigation was dismissed in February, Verstappen’s father, Jos, publicly called for the longtime team principal to resign following the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, accusing Horner of “playing the victim when he is the one causing the problems.” »

Verstappen Sr went on to claim that Red Bull could “explode” if Horner, who has led the team since arriving on the grid in 2005, remains in position.

With Horner retaining the support of Austrian and Thai shareholders, peace has largely been restored – but the consequences are not quite over yet.

Even though the aftermath of the crisis has largely subsided, question marks over the team’s long-term competitiveness – combined with recent drama – mean Verstappen still poses a flight risk.

But Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said he had no doubts about the Dutch driver’s loyalty.

“He is a thoroughbred racer and he wants to win every race, every qualifying and every training session,” he said.

“It connects us. It’s in his and our DNA. And he finds the ideal conditions for this here. We created a unique setup and built the best Formula 1 car.

“Max still has a long-term contract here and hasn’t said a word that he doesn’t want to fulfill it.

“I’m not at all worried that he’s considering moving.” We just need things to calm down again now. That’s what Max wants – and that’s what we want too. You also need it if you want long-term success in sport, whether it’s football or Formula 1.”

As Verstappen and Red Bull continue to dominate F1 and the Dutch driver targets a fourth consecutive World Championship victory, Mintzlaff said he sees no reason why Verstappen might consider leaving the team to join a rival .

“As I said before, Max wants the fastest car and we have it,” he said.

“Max wants to be world champion and, with us, he has the best chance. Max is a loyal guy.

“He knows that Christian and Helmut have always placed their trust in him. He appreciates that. Plus, Red Bull is just a big brand that he identifies with perfectly. So there are plenty of reasons for him to stay.

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