In the past few weeks, there has been a lot of talk concerning Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. These speculations have risen following the allegations that were made against Red Bull’s team boss, Christian Horner.
Back in 2022, Max Verstappen signed a 5-year contract extension to stay with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season. However, this tenure might be cut short if a certain Red Bull senior employee leaves the team. But what are the details of this exit clause in Max Verstappen’s contract?
The truth behind Max Verstappen’s exit clause in his contract with Red Bull
Whenever an F1 driver chooses to exit a contract with their team, it can be done so by buying them out of the contract, or through clauses that were agreed upon by both parties either during the initial signing or part of an addendum which can be added later. Without the exit clause, if the team wishes to part ways with the driver, they will have to buy the driver out of his contract. We saw this happen when McLaren decided to part ways with Daniel Ricciardo after 2022.
When Verstappen signed the contract with the team, there was no exit clause. It was a simple 5-year contract which would begin in the 2024 season. At the time, neither Max nor Red Bull considered the possibility of separating. However, circumstances change.
🚨 | An exit clause exists in Max Verstappen’s contract that allows him to leave Red Bull immediately.
According to this clause, he is free to leave if Helmut Marko leaves Red Bull.
“As far as I’m concerned: I won’t stand in Max’s way,” says Helmut Marko.#F1 pic.twitter.com/NdUQdZPCGl
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 4, 2024
Sometime last year, the Dutch driver and the team’s advisor, Helmut Marko entered an addendum to his contract. The addendum states that if Marko is to leave the team, Max would have the option to do so as well. It has been said that Christian Horner was not aware of this exit clause that was added later on. Since Helmut is one of the directors of Red Bull Racing after the passing of Dietrich Mateschitz, he has the authority to act on behalf of the team. Hence, can negotiate contracts without the approval of Christian Horner.
Although the exact date of when the addendum was signed is not mentioned, we can assume that it was during the alleged civil war started between Horner and Marko. There has been a power struggle within the team since Dietrich passed away. But so far, Christian Horner has maintained majority control of the team.
Is Max Verstappen really considering leaving Red Bull?
Given the circumstances within the team, it is not surprising that Max will want nothing to do with it. After the season opener in Bahrain, Max’s father, Jos Verstappen had a heated conversation with Horner. After this conversation, he spoke to the media saying: “There is tension here while he (Christian Horner) remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems,”
The statement he gave was pretty clear. The Verstappens are not happy with the ongoing situation with the team. Jos had a meeting with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after making the above statement. Since then, rumours emerged that Max will be leaving Red Bull after this year. This is when the news of his exit clause came to light. Until then, even Horner was not aware of the clause.
wait what?? https://t.co/7jf85SXYHN
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) March 4, 2024
In order for Max to leave, Helmut Marko will have to as well. A few weeks back, Red Bull had initiated an investigation on the 80-year-old Austrian. At the time, it was rumoured that he was the anonymous source who leaked the evidence of the case against Christian Horner. After a meeting with Red Bull CEO, Oliver Mintzlaf, it was announced that Helmut would continue his role with the team.
If for any reason, Helmut Marko leaves Red Bull, Max Verstappen will leave as well. The 2 have a close friendship. Max wants Helmut to stay with the team as long as he is able to. From the way things look, the Red Bull team seems to be divided. It will be interesting to see how things turn out in the next few weeks.
Rohit Kumar 
Sara Chavan