Marko: Red Bull drivers 'cannot end contracts'

Daniel Ricciard - Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz - Daniil Kvyat of Scuderia Toro Rosso pose for a photo during previews to the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia on April 27, 2017 in Sochi, Russia.
15 June 2017 by    1 min read

Jun.15 - Red Bull has control of the destinies of its F1 drivers.

That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, the boss of the energy drink company's driver programme.

At Red Bull Racing, rumours have linked Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen with other teams for 2018, while Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz is obviously keen to step up the grid after three years in F1.

But Marko told Germany's Sport Bild that Red Bull is in charge.

"Ricciardo and Verstappen have fixed contracts," he said. "Ricciardo for 2018, and Verstappen with some clauses for even much longer."

And the Austrian said Red Bull is not willing to let any of them go.

"That also applies to Carlos Sainz," said Marko. "He is also bound to us in the longer team. Until 2019.

"Only we can end contracts -- the drivers cannot."

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