The Dutch pilot Max Verstappen He has a contract with the Red Bull team until 2028, but his future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks following turmoil at the top of the team.
In the midst of what appears to be a power battle for control of the empire Red Bull and its F1 team, the weekend suggestions that the company’s motorsports advisor, Helmut Marko, could be forced to abandon, provoked some strong words from Verstappen, according to the MotorSport site.
Verstappen suggested yes Helmut Marko was going, Red Bull would have a “problem”, since that could also make him decide not to continue with the team.
In statements in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen said: “I have always clearly indicated that Marko has to stay. I cannot continue without him.”
The harsh words of Verstappen In this regard, they were seen by many as a clear political message to Red Bull’s management leadership about the consequences of taking action against Marko.
The Dutchman, however, was less ambiguous in his support for the team director, Christian Horner, whom his father Jos Verstappen openly asked to be fired to prevent the team from disintegrating.
Horner is aware of the importance of public support for Verstappen to Marko, and his claims that he would not want to stay if he lost his close ally.
However, Horner He has made it clear that if Verstappen feels so strongly about not staying with the team, then he would not blindly bind him to his contract.
“It’s like anything in life: You can’t force someone to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper,” Horner said.
“If someone did not want to be on this team, we are not going to force anyone, against their will, to be here. This applies to both machinists and designers or support functions that are carried out in the company.
“Participating in a team like this implies commitment and passion. Max has it. We have seen it, he has been here since he was 18 years old.
“I have no doubt about his commitment and passion for the future.”
Horner’s statements mark a notable change in tone from his position before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, when he said he had no doubt that Verstappen would honor his contract with the team.
It is understood that at a higher level within energy drink company Red Bull, there have been growing frustrations over the way internal issues within the team have been played out in the media through leaks and private briefings.
Verstappen is seen as one of the key pillars in the recent success of Red Bull In F1, it is not impossible that if off-track distress continues unabated, then it could be seen as a price not worth paying in making any attempt to retain him if he wishes to leave. But although the situation is not ideal, Horner He insists that his relationship with his pilot has not been affected.
Source: Ambito
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