Helmut Marko reportedly went behind the back of Christian Horner to put an exit-clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract

Max Verstappen is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 F1 season.

Helmut Marko reportedly went behind the back of Christian Horner to put an exit-clause in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract

Helmut Marko with Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The weekend in Saudi Arabia was filled with conspiracy theories due to the shenanigans going on at Red Bull. It was recently reported that Helmut Marko may have had a role in leaking the documents related to the Christian Horner-Red Bull investigation.

However, the attention has turned towards Max Verstappen‘s contract with the team as the Dutchman has a supposed exit clause that he can activate anytime. Helmut Marko is believed to have played a role in it.

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Max Verstappen has a contract with the Austrian team until the end of 2028. However, according to numerous reports, the reigning champion has an exit clause in his contract due to the Austrian. The clause in question is considered to be added to Verstappen’s contract without Horner having any knowledge about it.

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It is believed that Marko was able to insert this clause as he was the ‘Director’ at Red Bull Racing. This minute detail may have gone under the radar and the Brit may be in disbelief knowing about this.

Will Max Verstappen leave Red Bull if Helmut Marko leaves the team?

With the latest rumors and Jos Verstappen being spotted with Toto Wolff at the Bahrain GP, it seems likely that the Dutchman will leave the team due to internal pressures. However, the 26-year-old has stated that he is loyal to Marko in a recent media interaction.

Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko
Max Verstappen and Helmut Marko (Credits: IMAGO)

While addressing the media during the Saudi Arabian GP weekend, Verstappen stated:

My loyalty to (Marko) is very big. I've always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he's an important part in my decision-making for all the time in the future as well within the team. And I think it's also very important, of course, that you give the man a lot of respect for what he has done. And that comes back also to loyalty, you know, and integrity.
Helmut Marko said as reported by BBC

Verstappen claimed he is loyal to the Red Bull consultant and will stay at the team if he stays. Moreover, this lays pressure on the Austrian team to keep the 80-year-old longer to keep their star driver from jumping ship.

Max Verstappen has won the two rounds this year and is on a nine-race-long winning streak edging closer to his previous record of 10 consecutive wins. Fans worldwide would be waiting for the Australian GP after a week’s break. Subsequently, they will be hoping for a miracle to put an end to Verstappen’s dominance at the front end of the grid.

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