Helmut Marko is reportedly responsible for placing a secret clause in Max Verstappen’s contract that would allow him to leave Red Bull – and nobody at the F1 team are said to have been aware of it.
Red Bull have picked up where they left off from last year on the track in the opening two races of the 2024 campaign.
But it’s been far from plain sailing off the track with Christian Horner’s investigation sending the team into chaos.
Horner was later cleared of any wrongdoing and has denied the accusations against him.
Max Verstappen doesn’t want Helmut Marko to be forced out
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However, the saga has refused to go away with messages purporting to be between Horner and his female accuser being leaked and Jos Verstappen calling his position ‘untenable’.
Marko’s future with Red Bull was also under doubt with the 80-year-old revealing he might resign or be suspended.
His comments led to Verstappen sensationally threatening to quit Red Bull if Marko, who was responsible for helping the Dutchman get a seat at Red Bull, was to be forced out.
According to the Telegraph, Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract relating to Marko’s future with the team.
The report claims that Marko ‘added it himself’ and nobody from Red Bull Racing was aware of the clause.
It’s suggested there are ‘doubts about the legality’ of the clause, but Verstappen made his feelings very clear.
He said earlier this month: “Helmut and I, I think we have a lot of respect for each other.
“My loyalty in general to Red Bull but also to him, after all that he has done for me, it goes very far.
“I’ve always said, especially also after Dietrich’s [Mateschitz, former Red Bull owner] passing with everyone and the team, that I found it really important that we keep the key team together.
Helmut Marko helped Max Verstappen into F1
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“I think that’s how we have performed really well and that’s how we will perform really well in the future, they know that.
“For me, that’s why Helmut is a very key factor in that and that’s why I think also he has to stay for me, for sure.”
Marko was spotted meeting with Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff the following day where an agreement was seemingly reached.
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The Red Bull advisor confirmed he would be staying with Red Bull with plans to see out the remainder of his contract.
He said: “It was a very good conversation. Of course, calm must return to the team. That has priority.
“We agreed on all points. I will continue here. My contract still has three years to run. But calm must return.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
