Helmut Marko accepts Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull courtesy of ‘performance clause’
Helmut Marko admitted that Max Verstappen’s current contract does not completely bind the Dutch driver to Red Bull till 2028.
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Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen is the most sought-after driver in the F1 transfer market. The Dutch driver has a contract till the 2028 season. Yet this has not stopped rumors from surfacing. Now, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has admitted that there is a chance of Verstappen leaving Milton Keynes.
The four-time world champion was recently rumored to have received a $1.2 billion offer from Aston Martin. Though, Verstappen turned down this claim at F1 75. Moreover, Mercedes has expressed its interest in potentially poaching the 27-year-old for 2026.
Helmut Marko revealed that Max Verstappen‘s Red Bull contract does have performance clauses. This can allow the Dutchman to leave the team if Milton Keynes fails to fight at the front of the grid. However, Marko did not provide any details about the clauses. He mentioned that he was not concerned over such a scenario as Red Bull’s in-house power units for 2026 were not going to put the team at a big disadvantage.
There are performance clauses. But let’s assume that we are not really at a disadvantage in terms of the engine.
Helmut Marko told OE24
Red Bull wants to achieve unfulfilled Sebastian Vettel target with Max Verstappen
Sebastian Vettel was the first Red Bull academy driver to become world champion. The German driver won four titles in a row between 2010 and 2013. Max Verstappen has been on a similar trajectory so far. Helmut Marko asserted that he wants the Dutchman to win a fifth championship this year, something Red Bull failed with Vettel.
We want the 5th world championship title in a row, that is what we are fully focused on. We didn’t manage that with Vettel.
Helmut Marko declared
Certainly, Max Verstappen and Red Bull remain ambitious for the upcoming season. Milton Keynes will be battling the likes of Ferrari and McLaren in a tough fight at the front of the grid. If the Austrian team fails to provide Verstappen a capable car, he might consider jumping ship elsewhere after the end of the year.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2431 Articles Published)