A spectacular switch from Red Bull to Mercedes has been associated with Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen may be planning a spectacular move to Mercedes, but Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko says he won’t stand in his way if he decides to leave the team. Since his father Jos publicly urged Christian Horner to resign at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Dutchman’s future at Red Bull has come under scrutiny.
Later, Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, was seen conversing with Jos, which stoked speculation that Verstappen might soon join the Silver Arrows. Naturally, the team is searching for a new driver to take Lewis Hamilton’s place when he leaves for Ferrari at the end of the current campaign.
In response to a question regarding the rumors surrounding Verstappen’s future, Marko stated that he would not prevent the 26-year-old from departing Red Bull in the event that he chooses to accept a new challenge elsewhere. Marko stated to F1-Insider, “As far as I am concerned, I will not stand in Max’s way.”
Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, which is scheduled to expire in 2028, reportedly includes a conditional release clause, according to the same publication. Even though Marko is still contracted through the end of the following season, he is rumored to be able to leave the team before then in the event that he leaves.
Marko recently told OE24, “My future has been clarified in a positive sense,” that he has no intention of moving anywhere for the foreseeable future. Everything will go according to schedule. Can I participate in every race? Yes, and I won’t experience any stress from it. It would be challenging if I told myself that this schedule is insane.
“In actuality, I convince myself that Australia is stunning and I am eager to visit Melbourne. I’ll be working for Red Bull Racing until Sunday night, starting at 11 a.m. on Friday. I’m impatient.”
Though it’s unclear if Verstappen will sign a contract with Mercedes soon, Wolff has said he doesn’t think the Dutchman will leave Red Bull as long as they have the fastest car on the grid.
Speaking after last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Wolff said: “I think the driver will always choose the quickest car. That is fundamentally what it’s all about. At the moment, Red Bull is the quickest car so that will, in my opinion, always be the priority. I think today, Max is not in a different league, but he’s in a different galaxy.”
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