It has long been known that Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has at least one exit clause in his contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028. This is linked to the future of “foster father” Helmut Marko and would apparently enable him to move to Mercedes at the best possible time. If true, a concept that somewhat undermines the apparent loyalties of the Austrian Red Bull veteran and senior figure within the Red Bull team.
In 2024, the Formula One world is rife with rumours that Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull Racing before the end of his contract. The speculation has been fuelled by a number of factors, from team dynamics and performance issues to potential offers from rival teams. As the rumour mill continues to churn, the implications of such a move are profound, both for Verstappen and the wider F1 landscape.
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Verstappen fleeing Red Bull’s new engines?
The chances of this are high. According to the BBC, there are certainly doubts in the Verstappen camp about Red Bull’s new engine manufacturer. It is still completely unclear how the company’s own power units, which will be used from 2026, will perform.
There have been rumours circulating in the paddock for some time that Red Bull is lagging behind the competition here. This will undoubtedly lead to Verstappen and thus also Marko’s farewell.
Certainly, Red Bull Racing is making a bold move. The team is poised to make a groundbreaking transition by developing its own engine. This strategic pivot is aimed at not only complying with the new regulations but also gaining a competitive edge in the hybrid era of Formula 1.
2026 Engine Regulation
The 2026 engine regulations introduce several key changes. There is an increased focus on hybridisation, with a greater emphasis on electrical power contributing to the car’s overall performance. Environmental sustainability is also a core aspect, mandating the use of advanced sustainable fuels and aiming to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.
Additionally, the regulations include measures such as standardised parts and restrictions on certain developments, which will level the playing field and reduce the financial burden on teams.
Red Bull and Ford’s Collaboration
The collaboration between Red Bull Racing and Ford Motor Company is particularly noteworthy. Ford, with its extensive experience in electric vehicle technology, is said to be primarily focusing on the electrical drive components of the hybrid system.
Ford’s involvement primarily revolves around enhancing the electrical systems, which could include advancements in energy recovery, storage solutions, and efficiency improvements. Red Bull Racing will need to integrate these innovations seamlessly with their own developments in combustion engines and overall power unit design.
Developing their own engine puts Red Bull Racing in a unique position to tailor-make their power units to perfectly suit their chassis and racing strategy. This gives them a significant competitive advantage, allowing them more flexibility and agility in adapting to race conditions and regulations.
Having complete control over the powertrain allows for better integration and optimisation with the car’s design and aerodynamics. Leveraging Ford’s expertise in electrical components will undoubtedly lead to pioneering advancements in F1 hybrid technology.
With the current rumour that progress has been slow behind closed doors at Red Bull, questions are being raised about confidence of the Verstappen camp on this big 2026 overhaul.
What happens next in the “Horner affair”?
Another topic that hovers over the racing team is the so called “Horner affair”. The second internal investigation is currently underway. The BBC reports that justice will be meted out with a similar result to the first time: an acquittal for the team boss.
The BBC reports that the final word on the matter has still not been uttered. In the event of another Horner acquittal, there will be “further developments,” the BBC writes, without going into further details. However, there has been speculation for some time that the currently released Red Bull employee will go to an official court. Then the case will take on a whole new dimension.
Father Jos Verstappen has already explained several times that he will not accept a further escalation. He is considered one of Horner’s biggest opponents in the team and has already publicly warned that the team could fall apart but recent developments from within the Red Bull company as a whole might suggest otherwise.
Marko paves the way for Verstappen big exit
The future of the Dutch three-time champion at Red Bull is in the hands of Helmut Marko. The reason: There is a clause in Verstappen’s contract that allows him to leave early if Marko also leaves the racing team. It’s clear now that the man from Austria leaves his own future entirely to Verstappen.
Marko has promised the Dutchman that he will do what the 26-year-old wants. If Verstappen wants to leave Red Bull, Marko will give up his position at the Red Bull team for his sake in order to pave the way for Verstappen’s farewell.
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The scoop on exit clause details
The latest issue of Sport Bild reveals that Verstappen can follow Marko up to a year after a possible Red Bull departure and also leave the racing team. This means that if Marko leaves on 1 January 2025, Verstappen can withdraw his clause until the end of the year.
The report suggests that this could be exactly the Dutchman’s plan. From 2026, the new Formula 1 regulations with partial electric motors and new aerodynamic guidelines will come into effect. Then, according to Verstappen’s calculation, Red Bull’s supremacy will crumble and Mercedes will become a serious title candidate again.
The Silver Arrows’ mega deal with Verstappen is unlikely to fail because of the money. Team boss Toto Wolff is prepared to go “to the absolute financial limit” to sign the 26-year-old, according to the media report. However, Mercedes management has not yet specifically determined how much salary Verstappen should ultimately be offered. Other reports recently said that over 100 million euros were conceivable.
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Mercedes has no plans for Verstappen beyond the end of his career
However, Mercedes apparently has no plans for Verstappen beyond the end of his career. He should not get a job as a brand ambassador when he ends his active Formula 1 career. Instead, they want to lure the desired driver with sporting arguments.
The fact that Marko and Verstappen’s departure is even coming into focus is due to the internal team quarrels at Red Bull in the wake of the affair surrounding team boss Christian Horner.
With design guru Adrian Newey, at least one important employee will definitely be leaving the Austrian-British racing team. He will undoubtedly be drawn to Aston Martin, or perhaps even Ferrari, within Formula 1.
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In a dramatic turn of events in the high-speed world of Formula 1, Haas Automation, the parent company of the F1 team Haas, has taken legal action against its former team boss, Guenther Steiner. This bold move comes in response to the publication of Steiner’s 2023 memoir, “Surviving to Drive,” which Haas claims infringes on its trademark rights.
Guenther Steiner, who had been at the helm of the Haas F1 Team since its entry into Formula One in 2016, found himself at the centre of pressure from team owner Gene Haas. In 2024, in a move that sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, Steiner was sacked by Gene. The decision marked the…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
