Verstappen Issues Ultimatum: Marko's Departure Means His Own Exit
Mar.9 - Max Verstappen says Dr Helmut Marko is the "glue" that keeps him at Red Bull.
As the Austrian-Thai energy drink company's obvious power struggle plays out inside the Formula 1 paddock, the next explosive chapter is that Marko, 80, could be set to imminently depart.
That ties in perfectly with reports about a 'Marko clause' in Verstappen's 2028 contract, with the triple world champion warning after securing pole in Saudi Arabia that if his mentor leaves, so will he.
"The team knows that he is an important component and how important he is for me," Verstappen, 26, told Sky Italia late on Saturday.
"But not only that. Just look at everything he achieved with Dietrich Mateschitz, and how much more important he was after his passing. He's the glue of the team - one of those people who keeps everyone together.
"The team knows what I think of him and how important his presence is," the Dutch driver warned. When asked specifically what he'll do if Marko is ousted, Verstappen answered: "It's an understatement to say that it would be madness."
Why would Marko leave? According to multiple sources and reports, Christian Horner instigated an internal investigation into who leaked the details of his affair with a female staffer to hundreds of F1 journalists - and suspects the culprit was Marko.
Marko is on the Austrian side of the Red Bull power struggle, while Horner is rumoured to be scheming to take full control of the brand's premier F1 team in collaboration with Red Bull GmbH's 51 percent owner from Thailand.
"This is a very, very big problem for them that goes beyond just the paddock," former F1 driver Alex Wurz told ORF.
Marko is said to have enraged Horner at Jeddah by breaching a ban on speaking to the media about the saga, including a revelation that Honda - as well as Ford - have written letters of concern about the Horner affair.
Horner, who publicly denied any knowledge of Marko's rumoured departure, reportedly responded by threatening Marko that he may not be welcome to accompany the team to the next race in Melbourne.
Marko said: "In the end it's up to me to decide what to do, but the theoretical possibility (of leaving the team) exists. But this is a difficult question.
"I have another conversation with my superior tomorrow," Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF, referring to Red Bull co-CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, "and then we'll see.
"But everything has to be right so that I want to continue working here. We want peace in the team."
He also told Sky Deutschland: "We need clarification on the matter to prevent damage to the brand and the team. The important thing is that we don't do anything that can cost Max the title."
German broadcaster RTL says the next explosive phase in the saga could be legal action against Horner instigated by the female staffer. The report said Red Bull Racing has paid her a EUR 700,000 severance payment, boosted by Red Bull GmbH to a full million.
But former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher says there is a simpler solution.
"Christian Horner could solve this problem now," he said. "He could resign."
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Even Luis is telling Max he would be mad to swap the RB for Mercedes, even if it were available .He needs to stand on his own feet and get rid of Marko and his father.
Why would Toto want that toxic den of vipers?
Fuck Joe Biden
I appreciate Max’s undying loyalty to Marko but Marko is 80 and it appears to be suffering from saying what he is thinking out loud. Too many cooks on this team. Max, Horner, the pit wall, crew and the engineers that developed their outstanding car. They should be this major cooks, Marko’s would be better suited in the back office, doing what he does best, looking at potential junior drivers. Max and his father have a close relation, but Max has to separate the personal relation from the professional one. Jos got him into racing, RB nourished and developed the driver that he is today. Dad did his part, now back off. He is not doing Max’s career any good in F1 or any other venture. It shouldn’t be a package deal. Max is an adult, not a child. Both he and his dad need to accept that.
greed, i think thats exactly what the Dame sad to his Dad, who then disappeared from the garage for a few years,Marko wont be around forever even Max knows that Horny in front of the media does a good job, hes been and is a good team boss, it would be a mistake if he wasn't there, i did see something from Joss about Horny "seeing the season out" which i thought was odd wording, leaving readers with the impression hed leave at the end of the season ?
Neither Marko or Joss Verstappen are even members of the RB team. Max needs to grow a pair and recognise he is employed by the team and doesn’t need either of them, his first loyalty should be to CH and the team. As I have said before, in the absence of Max, Checo has demonstrated that he is quite capable of becoming WC in a RB. Hence CH saying if Max wants to go to Mercedes he won’t stand in his way.
Jos’s words are all bluster and intimidation with a huge dose of jealousy thrown in. Max should take Hamilton’s advice, stay put and get rid of his father. He should know.
Who is going to back an ex-con with a history of intimidating women and gbh now on his third wife and an 80 yr old over the most successful team principle in the history of F1?
Sorry shrop, I could have just said I agree. Rare but true!
You are, but a mortal...
Uh oh - sounds like The Maxter is getting a wee bit arrogant - and stupider. Never , ever tie your deliverable to anyone else's performance (or presence, in this case) other than your own.
What a dumb-ass move.
Yeah, sure he's a talented driver, but it seems like that's the extent of it. Put him in a Ferrari, or Merc, and he'd suck as badly as the rest of them. The car makes the driver these days.
I think we're witnessing the beginning of Max's decline.
just double bluffing them i thought , but seems everyones friends again now, just intime for another Rb 1,2 at weekend