Dr Helmut Marko admitted for the first time that Max Verstappen’s place at Red Bull was directly linked to his presence but also to his own role within the F1 team.
After a recent period of relative calm following the power struggle and conflict of early 2024, Max’s father Jos and Christian Horner are once again locked in a war of words in Austria.
“The more noise, the faster Max drives,” smiled Jos on Saturday evening, while the Dutchman is clearly back in top form.
This “noise”, however, was caused by Jos himself at the Red Bull Ring, as he pulled out of the Parade claiming that Horner was even threatening to sabotage his old F1 car!
Some were surprised that Verstappen senior did not simply leave the circuit once the chaos ensued, but Jos insists he is putting his son first.
“He’ll get the peace he needs… from me anyway. But Horner is playing a dangerous game.”
Indeed, the big threat is that the Verstappen camp has designed the 2028 contract in a way that could allow him to leave the team prematurely.
One of them is that Dr. Helmut Marko must always be part of the team and in a high position.
“We need peace and quiet to ensure success and that is why we sat down together,” says Marko, addressing earlier rumors that he could be ousted.
“I have a contract until 2026 and, provided that all my functions remain unchanged, I will fulfill this contract. Max’s release clause will then play no role if I am within the team, in the intended position . And its performance clauses are not relevant at the moment anyway.”
Marko, 81, however admitted he was not impressed by the latest clash between Verstappen and Horner.
“I would use the German word “kindergarten” here, said the Austrian.
“I’m annoyed by all this. First of all, Jos is not exactly the easiest person. And Christian doesn’t understand that Jos is Jos. He’s not going to change him, and Christian will always do what he thinks is right… for him. Whether it’s really right or not is another question (smiles).”
What could steer Max towards Mercedes F1 as his father suggested?
“I think first and foremost that Wolff’s wish is the father of this thought. Our starting point has remained unchanged. As long as Red Bull provides Verstappen with a competitive car, and as long as he feels good, there is no reason for him to leave the team.”
For his part, Max supported his father and Red Bull team boss Horner to settle their differences in the name of harmony.
“I think they are mature enough to talk about it one day. We must not forget that it will be a difficult year. I still risk penalties if I have to change the engine. So I am busy trying to score as many points as possible at the moment. Again, all this is useless and we have to take better care of it.”
Will he ask his father and Horner to talk?
“They are big enough, they don’t need a nanny or advice from me.”
