Max Verstappen, the race winner, representing Red Bull Racing, was seen in the parc fermé after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 9, 2024. The Formula 1 World Championship, Round 2, took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, revealed that his son does not like being questioned about Christian Horner. Recent reports suggest that Max now has a release clause in his contract with Red Bull Formula 1. Despite Red Bull’s continued dominance on the track in the early stages of 2024, the focus has shifted to the ongoing saga involving Horner. Although allegations of misconduct against the Red Bull Team Principal have been dismissed, Verstappen Sr. expressed concerns that Horner’s presence could disrupt the team.
A photograph captured Verstappen Sr. in conversation with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff in Bahrain. Wolff is believed to be looking for a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari in 2025. Speculation linking Verstappen to a move to Mercedes intensified during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, when Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that Verstappen could be suspended. When asked about Marko’s situation, the three-time Formula 1 champion acknowledged that his own future could be affected if his longtime confidant were to leave.
Verstappen expressed his desire for the focus to be on Red Bull’s continued success. His father, Jos, confirmed that Max is becoming frustrated with external events. Jos stated that it is important for the team to regain stability and focus on the races. He emphasized that Max’s performance continues to be excellent and there are no issues between him and the engineers. However, Max receives numerous questions about the ongoing situation, which he finds bothersome. Jos acknowledged that dealing with such questions is part of being in Formula 1.
Amid growing tension within the Red Bull team, Motorsport.com recently reported that Verstappen’s contract now includes an exit clause that extends until 2028. This clause was not part of the original agreement when Verstappen signed with Red Bull in 2022. It is believed that the clause was unilaterally introduced by the Verstappens and Marko, without the knowledge of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team or Horner. According to Motorsport.com, Marko had the authority to authorize this action due to his position as Red Bull Racing’s director.
While Mercedes’ Toto Wolff expressed his desire to hire Verstappen and welcomed Marko to the team, he revealed that Verstappen will remain at Red Bull. This decision was made after discussions between Marko and Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Red Bull secured another one-two finish.
